Mississippi State
12-5 (0-2SEC)
Kentucky
8-8 (2-0SEC)
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 32 | 32 | 64 |
| MS | 30 | 30 | 60 |
Lady Bulldogs Drop Close Decision To Kentucky, 64-60
January 13, 2008 | Women's Basketball
? Official Statistics
? Official Statistics (PDF)
? Postgame Quotes (PDF)
STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs (12-5, 0-2 Southeastern Conference) dropped a close back-and-forth battle, 64-60, to the Kentucky Wildcats (8-8, 2-0 SEC) Sunday afternoon at Humphrey Coliseum.
Both teams traded baskets to begin the first half of play. With the scored tied at 10-10 near the 13 minute mark of the period, Kentucky went on a 13-2 run to stretch out to an early lead. The Lady Bulldogs answered UK, outscoring the Wildcats 18-8 over the final 7:30 of play.
State scored 12 points off of 10 Wildcat turnovers during the first stanza. Still, the Wildcats held a slim 32-30 advantage going into the break.
MSU was led by sophomore forward Tysheka Grimes and sophomore guard Alexis Rack during the first period. Grimes led the Lady Bulldogs with 10 points, while Rack added nine points. Kentucky's Samantha Mahoney and Victoria Dunlap each had six points to lead UK over the first twenty minutes of play.
Kentucky scored the first five points of the second period, quickly extending their lead to 39-30. From there, the Lady Bulldogs answered with a 16-7 run, tying the game at 46 off of a three point play by senior forward Imesia Jackson at the 10 minute mark of the period. As they did most of the game, both teams went back and forth over the final 10 minutes of play. Kentucky outlasted the Lady Bulldogs down the stretch, taking the lead for the final eight minutes of the half on their way to a 64-60 victory.
State had three players score in double figures on the afternoon. Sophomore forward Tysheka Grimes led the way with 18 points and seven rebounds. Alexis Rack and Imesia Jackson each added 10 points a piece for the game. Junior forward Robin Porter tallied a team-high eight rebounds along with her eight points off 4-of-7 shooting. Meanwhile, guard Mary Kathryn Govero was solid in her first career start for MSU. The freshman added six points in nearly 30 minutes of action to help the State cause.
The Wildcats also had three players score in double figures, with forward Victoria Dunlap leading the way. The freshman scored 17 points to go along with her nine rebounds on the afternoon.
Following Thursday's open date, Mississippi State hits the road for the second time in its last three outings next Sunday, Jan. 20, traveling to Baton Rouge, La. to take on nationally-ranked LSU. Game time between the Lady Bulldogs and Tigers is set for 2 p.m. CT at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
