Big Smiles And Big Shots
November 10, 2023 | Women's Basketball, Joel Coleman
On a night State needed it, Debreasha Powe lifted the Dawgs in multiple ways.
STARKVILLE – It's unusual for the often-raucous Humphrey Coliseum to go silent, but midway through the first quarter on Friday night as No. 25 Mississippi State hosted Southeastern Louisiana, you could've heard a pin drop in Starkville.
Bulldog forward Ramani Parker was injured. The concern was evident from both her team and her fans.
Parker left the game and didn't return. Meanwhile, her teammates were left in tight battle against a program that was in the NCAA Tournament a year ago.
State needed a lift – emotionally and on the scoreboard. Debreasha Powe stepped up and delivered it.
Powe's infectious smile and personality provided a soothing presence for all in Maroon and White, and her shot gave MSU the cushion it needed to pull away and defeat the Lady Lions 67-46.
"When she hits shots, we're just a different team," State head coach Sam Purcell said. "Then there's her smile. I get angry as a coach, but I tell her to smile. When she smiles, it just uplifts our team. We needed a moment just to breathe and relax and play the game. Credit to her for providing that opportunity for us."
Powe finished with a team-high 19 points and just missed out on a double-double as she collected nine rebounds. She was red-hot from long range, making five 3-pointers in 11 attempts.
Her trey to wrap up the first quarter actually gave MSU its first lead at 18-17. It was a sign of things to come as she hit three big triples in the third quarter to help State pull away after holding just a 27-26 edge at the half.
MSU eventually stretched its lead all the way out to 25 and coasted to the finish line – in large part because of the trust in Powe's hot hand.
"It was my teammates," Powe said was the cause of her big night. "They were telling me, 'We're looking for you. Be ready to shoot.' Coach Sam was telling me, 'Be ready to shoot.'"
Powe was, and she did.
Yet her positive spirit also provided just as big of an impact on a much-needed evening when so many people's thoughts were with Parker.
"[Powe's] nickname from me is Sister Powe," Purcell said. "She's a woman of faith. I love that about her. Those moments sports provide or things off the court, she's always her. Her core is there. She's great for me and it's great for our team. It's a true blessing to coach her."
Of course, it didn't take Friday for Purcell to realize just how special Powe is. He came to that understanding quickly after being hired at Mississippi State in March of 2022.
Powe was then simply awaiting her chance to play in Maroon and White as a high school senior in Meridian, Mississippi. She remained committed to do so under Purcell.
"She gave a first-time head coach [a chance]," Purcell said. "Think about her situation. She could be like, 'You've never coached before.' For her to believe in me and give me a chance…I was fortunate enough to inherit her. Shout out to the staff before me, but she believed in Mississippi State."
The relationship between Powe and Purcell has only blossomed since.
"I'm going to be honest - there were some moments last year where I needed to be better," Purcell said. "She had great talks with me, and she challenged me. She'd say, 'Coach, I think this is what we need to hear.' I love that. We've carried our relationship into year two. She comes into my office. It's a natural flow. We have a great vibe for each other. It's just really cool."
It's cool for Purcell, but it's also cool for the Dawgs. Not only because Powe sinks shots, but also because she's an outstanding teammate. Many of this year's new faces on the MSU squad credit Powe for how she welcomed them in and fostered the group's outstanding chemistry.
If that wasn't enough, she's also a brilliant student and ambassador for Mississippi State.
"She's a winner, and she's a winner in life," Purcell said. "She was on the All-SEC Freshman team [last year], but you look at her academics, I don't know if she's ever made a B…She just lives life to the fullest."
And as Friday night reaffirmed, the university, her teammates, her coaches and anyone Powe impacts is better for her presence.
