Strong Start Propels No. 3 Bulldogs Past Commodores

Thursday, February 9

Starkville

8:00 PM

Mississippi State

24-1 (10-1SEC)

Vanderbilt

11-13 (1-10SEC)

Vanderbilt

Mississippi State

Strong Start Propels No. 3 Bulldogs Past Commodores

February 09, 2017 | Women's Basketball

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STARKVILLE, Miss. – Victoria Vivians scored 21 first-half points and Roshunda Johnson scored 17 second-half points as No. 4/3 Mississippi State knocked off Vanderbilt 86-41 in a Southeastern Conference women's basketball game played at Humphrey Coliseum.

MSU improved to 24-1 overall and 10-1 in league play, while Vanderbilt fell to 11-13 and 1-10. The Bulldogs won their fourth-straight and 12^th-straight home game. It was MSU's largest margin of victory in conference play and fewest points allowed in a conference game this season.

The 45-point margin is the Bulldogs' second-largest margin of victory in program history and was Vanderbilt's second-largest margin of defeat.

State also claimed its 12th-straight win at The Hump, tying the school record for the longest home win streak.

Vivians finished with 21 points, while Johnson set a new career high for conference play with her 17 points. After being honored for 1,000 career points in the pregame, Breanna Richardson was also in double figures with 12 points.

"This was a special night by a special bunch of young ladies," MSU head coach Vic Schaefer said. "They don't like to practice, but when the lights come on, they really like to play. Defensively in the first half, we were great. We held them to 15 points on 18 percent shooting. When the lights come on, this team has been special this year.

"We give God all the glory for victory No. 24. He has blessed us with a special team."

Teaira McCowan had seven rebounds. Morgan William added eight assists.

Thanks to the fast start by Vivians, the Bulldogs built an early 20-2 lead. Vivians, William, Dominique Dillingham, Richardson and McCowan all scored during the run.

Blair Schaefer would later add a 3-pointer to give the Bulldogs a 23-6 lead after one quarter.

Vivians would add 13 second-quarter points as the Bulldogs consistently built the lead. The Bulldogs used a 14-0 run to build a 40-8 lead with 5:14 left in the half. The Bulldogs held a 42-15 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Johnson took center stage by hitting 5 of 7 second-half shots, including five 3-pointers. The lead grew to 34 at 49-15 with 7:35 left in the third quarter. The Bulldogs forced eight third-quarter turnovers and led 62-25 after three quarters.

"The main thing we saw tonight is that we can go two-deep in every position," Schaefer said. "We can substitute without losing the continuity. To be a great team, you really have to have that depth. You have to have that many players who can contribute."

The Bulldogs turned in one of their best defensive performance of the season, allowing only 15 first-half points. In that half, Vanderbilt managed five total field goals.

For the contest, the Bulldogs hit 35 of 70 shots from the field (50.0 percent), 9 of 20 shots from 3-point range (45.0 percent) and 7 of 18 shots from the foul line (38.9 percent). The Commodores hit 12 of 51 shots from the field (23.5 percent), 4 of 15 shots from 3-point range (26.7 percent) and 13 of 22 shots from the foul line (59.1 percent).

MSU held a 47-36 rebounding advantage. The Bulldogs had 13 assists and 11 turnovers, while the Commodores had four assists and 24 turnovers.

Vanderbilt received nine points apiece from Erin Whalen and Rachel Bell.

MSU returns to the road for a Sunday contest with the in-state rival Ole Miss. The Bulldogs and Rebels tip at 3 p.m. from Oxford on the SEC Network.