Building On Success

STARKVILLE — After making history in the NCAA Tournament under head coach Sam Purcell last season, Mississippi State is back on the court and preparing to build on its success.

The Bulldogs closed out last season by becoming the first team ever to play in the First Four of the big dance and advance to the round of 32. With a new year of State basketball set to tip-off in mere weeks, newcomers and veterans alike are excited and ready to take the next step as a program.

"Each and every year we come in we want championships, so that's what we fight for every single day out on this court," sophomore Debreasha Powe said. "We just want to be great. With this team this year [and] seeing that we [were] able to make it into the tournament and get to the second round, that's just putting a fire [under] us and lets us know that we can do it. We can do anything we put our minds to."

To go along with experienced talent such as Powe, Jessika Carter and JerKaila Jordan, Purcell added an impressive group of transfers to the roster who are looking to make an impact in their first year in Starkville. State's new trio of Seton Hall's Lauren Park-Lane, DePaul's Derrione Rogers and Arkansas transfer Erryn Barnum all ranked in the top 25 in this year's transfer portal class according to ESPN.

"They came here because women's basketball matters," Purcell said. "There's an energy about this place that they, unfortunately, maybe never got at their last schools. I think there's going to be an attitude of gratitude, and most importantly, thankfulness. When they put that jersey on, they're going to give it their all night in and night out."

Park-Lane ranked third in the BIG East with 686 points and second with 207 assists last season, while Rogers finished sixth in her conference with 555 points and third with 167 assists. Barnum led the Razorbacks in multiple scoring categories and finished fourth in the SEC with 555 points.

For Rogers and Park-Lane, this will be their first time competing against the best of the best in the SEC. Both are ready for the challenge that conference play brings, however.

"As a player, this is just what you want," Rogers said. "You want to play against the best of the best and you want to do that night in and night out. With this team that we have, I feel like we could really go out there and compete and make noise in the SEC."

With new renovations to Humphrey Coliseum and a roster full of talent, the excitement surrounding MSU women's basketball is at an all-time high. The ongoing support for women's athletics from athletic director Zac Selmon and the Bulldog faithful is something that Purcell values greatly.

"I have major goals for this program and big ideas and that's why I couldn't be more happy with Zac Selmon and our administration who supports the vision," Purcell said. "I mean, think about it right now. This time last year, me and Chris Jans were both unranked. Now, look at today. You've got two top-25 preseason teams here at Mississippi State. When you have that kind of energy, ideas are welcomed."

The Bulldogs open the season against Alcorn State on Monday, November 6. That game is set to tip-off at 6:30 p.m. CT, and it will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

Players Mentioned

Jessika Carter

Jerkaila Jordan

Lauren Park-Lane

Debreasha Powe

Mississippi State University Athletics