? Official Statistics
? Official Statistics (PDF)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- In a game that was reminiscent of their first matchup with Tennessee earlier in the year, Mississippi State was unable to capitalize on an early 18-16 lead, falling to the No. 3 Lady Volunteers, 72-46, in front of an announced crowd of 20,449 at UT's Thompson Boiling Arena Sunday afternoon.
With the loss, State's record falls to 4-9 in Southeastern Conference action and 16-12 overall. Meanwhile, Tennessee moves to 25-2 and 11-1 in the SEC.
In the first half, Mississippi State used a 15-0 run to take an 18-16 lead with just 4:25 to go in the period. During the first 10 minutes of the half, Tennessee built a sizable 12-4 lead, holding the Lady Bulldogs scoreless for nearly seven minutes during that frame. During that stretch, Tennessee outscored MSU 6-0. In the next five minutes, MSU went on a 15-0 run of its own to capture the lead. In the closing minutes of the half, however, UT outscored MSU 11-4, taking a 27-22 advantage at the break. Although State shot just 31 percent from the field, they held the Lady Volunteers to just 38 percent shooting for the half. MSU also kept the rebounding margin to a 20-18 Tennessee advantage in the opening stanza.
Both teams spread the ball around in the first half. Every Tennessee player that saw action scored during the first 20 minutes, while MSU sophomore Alexis Rack posted seven points and guards Marneshia Richard and Robin Porter each had six points in the opening period.
In the second stanza, Tennessee stretched out their lead early thanks to a 9-0 run to open up the half. Unable to establish much on the offensive end, the Lady Bulldogs fell behind by double digits at 38-27 with 15:10 to go in the game. MSU battled back though, going on an 8-0 run midway through the half to cut the lead to 47-40 on a layup by Richard with 7:39 to go in the period. But the Lady Vols then took total control, outscoring MSU 25-6 down the stretch.
For the game, State was led by Rack, who scored 15 points, while Richard added 11 points for the Maroon and White. Junior Donnisha Tate had 11 rebounds to go along with her five points off the bench. Meanwhile, the Tennessee effort was led by star junior forward Candace Parker, who scored 19 points for the Lady Volunteers.
MSU now returns home to take on No. 6 LSU at Humphrey Coliseum next Sunday, March 2, to close out the regular season. It will mark the second straight year the Lady Bulldogs have played top 10 opponents back-to-back. The Lady Bulldogs will honor seniors Imesia Jackson, Amy Reeder and Maiyorka Johnson before the matchup with the Tigers. The clash between the Lady Bulldogs and LSU is set for a 2:30 p.m. CT tipoff, and will be televised by Fox Sports Net South.
