No. 2 MSU Takes 8-0 SEC Mark To No. 15 Missouri

STARKVILLE, Miss. – After clinching the program's first 8-0 conference start, No. 2 Mississippi State women's basketball begins the second half of a grueling SEC slate Thursday with a tough road contest against No. 15 Missouri.

Tip for the game is set for 7:30 p.m., with Paul Sunderland and Debbie Antonelli calling the action on the SEC Network. Fans can also watch online on the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com.

Jason Crowder and Charlie Winfield will have the call on the MSU Radio Network. A live audio stream of the contest will also be available on HailState.com/Plus and the TuneIn app.

The Bulldogs sit atop the SEC standings as Vic Schaefer's squad claimed the best start in school history at 22-0 after recording wins against Florida and Ole Miss last week.

MSU and UConn remain the only teams in the nation without a loss.

Last Sunday's win at Ole Miss gave the Bulldog senior class its 111^th-career victory, tying last year's class as the winningest in program history.

Senior Victoria Vivians sparked the win with 25 points. She rates fourth in the SEC in scoring this season with 19.6 ppg, while her 19.4 average in SEC games ranks fifth in the league.

Teaira McCowan continues to pace Mississippi State on the year with an SEC third-best 19.9 ppg and league-high 12.8 rpg. In SEC play, the Brenham, Texas, native is first in the league in rebounding (13.3 rpg) and fourth in scoring (20.0 ppg).

Missouri is 17-4 overall and 5-3 in SEC play. The Tigers fell to No. 15 in the polls after suffering road losses to Georgia and South Carolina.

GAME INFORMATION
Opponent: No. 15 Missouri
Location: Columbia, Mo. (Mizzou Arena)
Date: Thursday, February 1
Time: 7:32 p.m.
Television: SEC Network (PxP – Paul Sunderland; Analyst – Debbie Antonelli)
Watch Online: WatchESPN.com or WatchESPN App
Listen: MSU Radio Network and HailState.com/Plus (PxP – Jason Crowder; Analyst – Charlie Winfield)

SERIES HISTORY
MISSOURI (MSU leads 6-1)
At MSU: MSU leads 3-0
At Missouri: MSU leads 2-1
At Neutral Sites: MSU leads 1-0

2/5/2017                 W             70-53                      H
2/7/2016                 W             52-42                      H
1/14/2016               L               54-66                      A
1/4/2015                 W             53-47                      A
3/5/2014                 W             73-70                      N
1/26/2014               W             69-62                      H
2/10/2013               W             61-56                      A

BULLDOG BITES

Mississippi State continued its best start in program history, improving to 22-0 overall and 8-0 in SEC play.
The 8-straight wins is MSU's longest SEC win streak.
State's 69-49 win at Ole Miss was its 9th-straight against Ole Miss. The State seniors are 8-0 against the Rebels.
The Bulldogs' senior class matched last year's senior class as the winningest in school history with win No. 111.
MSU is 6th in the nation in scoring offense at 85.0 ppg. The Dawgs are averaging an SEC-best 82.6 ppg in league play.
State is shooting 48.1% from the field, 9th in Division I. MSU is also tops in league games at 48.8%.
MSU also leads the SEC in scoring defense, holding foes to a nation's 18th-lowest 55.6 ppg. In conference games, State is allowing a league-low 57.6 ppg.
State has surrendered 51.3 ppg the last 3 games.
MSU is 1 of 3 teams (Baylor, UConn) to rank in the Top 10 in the nation in offense and Top 20 in defense.
State is 3rd in the SEC forcing 20.6 turnovers per game. State has forced 21.8 turnovers the last 4 games.
Victoria Vivians has reached double figures in 21 of 22 games, including 11 20-point games after scoring 25 at Ole Miss.
Vivians is averaging 24.3 ppg this season, 17.7 ppg in her career, against ranked foes.
With 10 boards at Ole Miss, Teaira McCowan became the 6th MSU player to record 1,000-career points and 750 rebounds.
McCowan is 3rd in the SEC in scoring (19.9 ppg) while Vivians is 4th (19.6 ppg).
Blair Schaefer tops the SEC with 2.6 3-pointers per game.
Ro Johnson is 4th in the SEC with 2.3 spg.
Morgan William is 2nd in DI in assist/turnover ratio (4.5).

LAST TIME OUT FOR MSU...

Mississippi State jumped out to a 12-0 lead and out-scored in-state rival Ole Miss 19-4 in the opening quarter en route to posting a 69-49 victory in Oxford in the final match-up of the regular season.
The Bulldogs held the Rebels to 1 field goal in the quarter and got 13 first-half points from Victoria Vivians. Vivians ended the game with 25 points. Blair Schaefer added 9 points and Morgan William scored 8 as MSU won its 9th-straight against the Rebels and the State seniors finished their careers 8-0 in the rivalry.

GET TO KNOW THE OPPONENT

Missouri is 17-4 overall and 5-3 in SEC play after falling in back-to-back road contests at Georgia and South Carolina. The Tigers are 8-1 at home, with the lone setback coming to LSU (Jan. 4).
Sophie Cunningham leads Mizzou with 18.4 ppg on the year and 17.9 ppg in SEC play. In SEC games, Amber Smith scores 12.5 ppg, and Jordan Frericks pulls in 8.8 rpg to go with 10.9 ppg.

No. 2 MSU Takes 8-0 SEC Mark To No. 15 Missouri

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Teaira McCowan

Blair Schaefer

Victoria Vivians

Morgan William

Mississippi State University Athletics

No. 2 MSU Takes 8-0 SEC Mark To No. 15 Missouri

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Teaira McCowan

Blair Schaefer

Victoria Vivians

Morgan William

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