Gony Stands Tall In First Start
November 30, 2023 | Women's Basketball
STARKVILLE - When Mississippi State's Nyayongah Gony woke up on Wednesday morning, she might not have known that she would be making her first career start that night against Miami.
Nevertheless, as fans filed into Humphrey Coliseum and a shorthanded Bulldogs squad took the floor for warmups, the junior forward was given a huge responsibility.
"I had to play outside my strengths, be in the post and guard the bigger girls," Gony said.
She didn't bat an eye.
"It doesn't matter wherever Sam [Purcell] tells me to go, I'm going to do my job to the best of my ability," Gony said.
The 6-foot-4 Gony set herself up for a solid night early. On MSU's first defensive possession, she had two quick blocks and helped force a shot clock violation. She finished the night with a career-high 10 rebounds along with seven points, three of which came on a crucial trey late in the contest.
On top of that, Gony was on the court for 39 minutes. Last year, she saw 35 total minutes throughout the entire season. Most student-athletes would struggle to keep up with such an increase in her workload but Gony had other things on her mind.
"In a game like this, I couldn't even feel it," Gony said. "I just wanted to do everything I could for my team."
Purcell was just as impressed by his spirited Bulldog's first big game in the Maroon and White. The second-year head coach had high praise for one of his returning players heading into the season, and he was delighted to see her have a memorable night at the Hump.
"[Gony] worked so hard and she has earned it," Purcell said. "For her to get her number called tonight and just leave it all on the floor, I'm just so proud."
To say that Gony has worked hard is an understatement. The Lincoln, Nebraska native, took some time away from the sport she loved in 2021 and has gone above and beyond to bounce back after transferring to MSU last season. Wednesday's outing was a testament to that, and it showed just a little bit of what Gony is capable of.
"I feel like every game is a breakout game for me," Gony said. "Each game, I've grown more than the last. I don't feel like I've even scratched the surface of my game, I'm just learning how I fit into this team."
In some incredible twist of fate, the game was more than just a typical matchup for Gony. She made her first start against her former team, Miami, having spent the first two years of her career with the Hurricanes.
Gony played in 22 games as a freshman at Miami in 2020-21 before redshirting the following year.
 "A few of those girls are really some of my closest, good friends," Gony said. "I feel like once that clock starts, once that whistle blows, it was go time."
Although State fell just short against the Hurricanes and suffered its first loss of the season, the determination that the seven available players showed was admirable. According to Gony, the team took plenty of lessons away from the game, even in the face of adversity.
"I feel like everything happens for a reason," Gony said. "I feel like I learned so much about myself, I feel like we learned so much about each other as a team."
So, what's next for Gony and Mississippi State?
"I'm just getting warmed up, and the more that my team and the staff and the fans believe in me is more fuel for me to get back to 'me' on the court," Gony said.
