Women's Hoops Downs Northwestern State To Move To 2-0

Sunday, November 23

Starkville

2:00 PM

Mississippi State

2-0

Northwestern State

1-2

Team	1	2	F
Northwestern State	37	38	75
Mississippi State	44	55	99

Lady Bulldogs Overcome 18-Point, Second-Half Deficit To Down Ole Miss, 69-64

Women's Hoops Downs Northwestern State To Move To 2-0

November 23, 2008 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

? Official Statistics
? Official Statistics (PDF)
? Postgame Quotes (PDF)

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Armelie Lumanu scored 24 points and Mississippi State fell just shy of the century mark as the Lady Bulldogs cruised past Northwestern State 99-75 in women's college basketball action Sunday afternoon in the Humphrey Coliseum.

With the victory, MSU improved to 2-0 for a third straight season. The offensive outburst was the largest for the Lady Bulldogs since a 104-45 victory over Mississippi Valley State on January 8th of this year. Prior to that contest, the Lady Bulldogs had not topped the century mark in five seasons.

Sunday's contest was offensive from the outburst. The lead changed hands several times during a very competitive, highly-entertaining opening half. The Lady Bulldogs stretched the lead in the closing minutes, claiming a 44-37 advantage at halftime.

In the second half, MSU's defensive pressure allowed the hosts to run away from the visiting Lady Demons. The Lady Bulldogs opened the final half on an 18-7 run. Later, a 12-2 run by the hosts removed all doubt from the contest.

“We had four people in double figures,” MSU head coach Sharon Fanning said. “We did a good job of sharing the basketball. It seemed liked we did a good job of building on our first game.”

Lumanu tallied her 24 points on 8 of 10 shooting from the field and 8 of 9 shooting from the line. Chanel Mokango added 19 points, while Donnisha Tate had 11 points. Tate also had a team-high nine rebounds, while Mokango was credited with six blocks.

Brooke Shepherd paced Northwestern State with 20 points. Demetria White added 17 points, while Jessica McPhail scored 10 points. Shepherd and Keke Goodson each had seven assists for the Lady Demons.

For the contest, the Lady Bulldogs had a second straight 50-percent or better night from the field. MSU was 32 of 61 from the floor, for 52.5 percent. The Lady Bulldogs hit 5 of 16 from 3-point attempts (31.3 percent) and were 30 of 36 at the foul line (83.3 percent).

Northwestern State actually picked up the offensive tempo in the game's final 20 minutes. The Lady Demons were 10 percent better from the floor in the final half (46 percent compared to 36 percent). For the contest, NWSU was 25 of 61 from the field (41.0 percent), 9 of 24 from 3-point range (37.5 percent) and 16 of 25 from the foul line (64.0 percent).

“Defense is an area of concern,” Fanning said. “They shot way too many free throw attempts. From the field, they shot good percentages. They were taking shots that we should have done a better job of contesting. Those are areas that we will work on. We have to be a better defensive team.”

MSU held a 45-32 advantage in the rebounding category. The Lady Bulldogs were credited with 20 assists, while committing 12 turnovers. MSU had 11 blocks and 12 steals. Northwestern State was credited with 13 assists but made 18 turnovers, with three of those coming in the decisive run to open the second half.

The Lady Bulldogs conclude a season-opening three-game homestand by hosting Mississippi Valley State at 7 p.m. Tuesday.