PREVIEW: Women’s Hoops vs. Auburn

STARKVILLE – With just three games left in the regular season, Mississippi State will look to build some momentum heading into the postseason, starting with a matchup against Auburn on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 5 p.m.

The contest was originally scheduled for last Thursday, but inclement weather in the region forced the SEC to postpone the game. Fans planning to attend should use their original Auburn tickets. Doors will open one hour before tip. Fans who plan to attend the game are encouraged to review the Mississippi State Gameday Guidelines.

The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+ with Bart Gregory (play-by-play) and Charlie Winfield (analyst) on the call. The matchup can also be streamed on the TuneIn App with Jason Crowder from the MSU Radio Network.

State has won eight straight meetings in the series against Auburn, including a sweep of the Tigers last season. In the most recent matchup, Rickea Jackson posted a career-high 34 points on 14-of-22 shooting to rally Mississippi State from down 14 in the third quarter to an overtime victory, 92-85. Jackson's 34 points were tied for the second-most ever by an MSU freshman. Jessika Carter notched a double-double in the game with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Bulldog Storylines

Rickea Jackson, who was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 watch list, is averaging a team-best 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The sophomore forward owns two 30-point efforts and 10 games with 20+ points during her career.
One of the most efficient posts in the SEC, Jessika Carter ranks 58th in the country and fifth in the SEC in field goal percentage (.508). She owns 18 career double-doubles, leads the team in rebounding 9.1 rpg) and is second in scoring (14.7).
After ranking eighth in the country and leading the SEC in assist/turnover ratio (2.80) last season, Myah Taylor picked up right where she left off, ranking 25th in the country and leading the SEC with a 2.71 assist/turnover ratio.
Between her scoring and assists, Taylor has been a major factor in State's offense this season. In fact, she has accounted for more than 25 percent of MSU's total scoring in seven contests, including two games during SEC play when she accounted for 50 percent or more of the team's scoring.
Because of their play this season, Carter, Jackson and Taylor were recognized as finalists for their Naismith Starting Five position awards. Jackson and Carter have also been tabbed to National Player of the Year watch lists. Combined, the trio averages 40.1 points, 16.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game.
A scoring threat and spark off the bench for Mississippi State, Aliyah Matharu is making a strong case for SEC Sixth Woman of the Year. She is averaging 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game this year.
Mississippi State entered a new era during the 2020-21 campaign, as women's basketball hall of famer Nikki McCray-Penson takes the helm of the women's basketball program. The Collierville, Tenn., native boasts a decorated resume to this point in her career.
- 2017 National Championship
- 2x Olympic Gold Medalist
- 2x SEC Player of the Year
- 3x WNBA All-Star
- 1997 ABL MVP
- 1997 ABL Championship
Since the start of the 2016-17 campaign, Mississippi State owns 139 wins, which is the fourth-most victories in all of Division I. UConn leads the way, while Baylor ranks second and Louisville is third.
Mississippi State wants to dominate the paint every game, and the offense's primary goal is to get the ball down low for a basket. MSU is outscoring opposing teams 578-370 in the paint, which is an average margin of more than 13.8 points per game.
The Bulldogs also average 6.9 threes per game this year, which ranks third all-time in MSU history for a single season. State only averaged more 3-pointers during the 2017-18 (7.1 3FG/game) and the 2009-10 (7.2 3FG/game) campaigns. State has been efficient from beyond the arc, shooting a .362 clip, which ranks fourth in program history for a single season.
In their game against Troy, the Bulldogs broke the program record and matched the SEC record for 3-pointers made in a single game (18).
The Bulldogs have played the fewest conference games during SEC play due to COVID issues with other teams and inclement weather, competing in just three contests during the last 35 days. A total of seven matchups this season have either been postponed/canceled without a makeup date scheduled.

For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK."

PREVIEW: Women’s Hoops vs. Auburn

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jessika Carter

Rickea Jackson

Aliyah Matharu

Myah Taylor

Mississippi State University Athletics

PREVIEW: Women’s Hoops vs. Auburn

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jessika Carter

Rickea Jackson

Aliyah Matharu

Myah Taylor

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