Jackson Pours In A Career-High 40 Points

STARKVILLE – Rickea Jackson has certainly had some big nights during her three years as a Bulldog.

But Wednesday night proved to be the biggest one yet. Jackson scored a career-high 40 points in Mississippi State's 102-55 victory over McNeese State while only logging 28 minutes.

"It was really all my teammates, they really trusted me," Jackson said. "They always trust me but tonight they really trusted me in my open spots. That's something we've been working on in practice, not forcing shots. We have to move (the ball) and then get it back in and not just take shots off the dribble. I feel like we definitely focused on that."

Jackson became the 13^th Bulldog to score 40 or more points in a game and marked the 10^th-most points in a single game in MSU history. The junior forward was the first Bulldog to reach the 40-point plateau since Teaira McCowan did so against Louisiana on Dec. 28, 2017.

Jackson scored 21 of her points in the first half and was on pace with the entire Cowgirls team for most of the evening. When she checked out of the game for the final time with 5:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, McNeese State as a team only had 42 points.

"I really don't know how you can stop her," said freshman forward Denae Carter. "Her game is amazing. She knows her spots and is really aggressive, especially on the glass. She gets putbacks and finds her spots very well against zone and in man (defenses)."

The Detroit, Michigan product finished 18 of 26 from the field and scored 37 of her points inside the perimeter. She also added two assists, two steals and a block and was one rebound shy of her second double-double of the season.

"That's on me, that's not on coach Doug (Novak)," Jackson said. "I had a couple of rebounds that went straight through my hands. That happened at least three times. That's 100 percent on me."

Jackson currently leads the Southeastern Conference and ranks 20^th nationally scoring 23.2 points per game. She is shooting 44 percent from the floor and averaging 6.5 boards.

"She's talented and her work ethic has been tremendous," Novak said. "She's also got a really nice basketball IQ. She understands the game and sometimes she doesn't need as many reps as somebody else because she can see it right away. She's been able to stay engaged at practice and working with other people. I just see her growing every day at practice and through each game. Whether it's going our way or not, she's able to stay in the fight and I'm really proud of her for that."

Jackson has also grown in the leadership department as well. The two-time All-American honorable mention is someone the freshman class has looked to for guidance and motivation during MSU's 6-1 start to the season.

"She has great energy and is a great leader," Carter said. "We really just feed off of her. She's an aggressive player and we learn from her. Her rebounding encourages us to rebound and her blocks encourage us. She's an overall great person on and off the court."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Jackson Pours In A Career-High 40 Points

Players Mentioned

Denae Carter

Rickea Jackson

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