Mississippi State
Peach State Elite (Exh.)
Lady Bulldogs Best Peach State Elite 84-75 In Exhibition Play
November 13, 2008 | Women's Basketball
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STARKVILLE, Miss. - Going into halftime with the game tied at 30 points a piece, the Mississippi State women's basketball team used a strong second half to power past the Peach State Elite team Thursday night at Humphrey Coliseum.
MSU jumped out early in the first period of action, going on a 13-1 run with 15:39 minutes left in the half. Junior college transfers Armelie Lumanu and Chanel Mokango led the charge for the Lady Bulldogs, scoring the first six points of the game. The Elite fought back into the game, rattling off nine straight points to bring the game to 19-15. State extended their lead though to 27-15 on a layup by Lumanu and back-to-back 3-point baskets by junior Tysheka Grimes and senior Lauren Roberts. Peach State Elite then knocked down six consecutive free throws to bring the game within five at 27-24 with 5:14 left in the first half of action. The Elite closed out the first half of play on a 5-1 run fueled by free throws by Nikki Luckhurst and a jumper Kadie Riverin.
The Lady Bulldogs came out firing in the second half, going on a 6-2 run on made baskets by Lumanu, Mokango and sophomore Mary Kathryn Govero to extend their lead to 38-32. Peach State Elite climbed back into the game, tying the game once again at 46 with 15:40 left in regulation. Seniors Donnisha Tate and Robin Porter both converted three-point plays to put MState up, 56-48. Despite last minute efforts by the Elite, State was able to close out the victory 84-75.
MSU placed four in double figures, with Mokango leading State with 16 points and six rebounds. Lumanu had 15 points and eight rebounds, while Tate notched a double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Grimes rounded out the State scoring contingent with 11 points on 4-for-8 shooting from the field. Junior Alexis Rack dished out 10 assists to accompany nine points.
State officially opens its 34th season of Lady Bulldog basketball at home on Tuesday, Nov. 18, against Arkansas Pine-Bluff. Tipoff from Humphrey Coliseum is slated for 7 p.m.
