Thursday, February 23
Starkville
8:00 PM
Mississippi State
20-8,9-6SEC
87
vs
73
Arkansas
19-11,6-9SEC
1
2
3
4
F
Arkansas
9
21
19
24
73
Mississippi St.
25
24
19
19
87
Bulldogs Earn 20th Win Of The Season in Rout of Arkansas
February 23, 2023 | Women's Basketball
STARKVILLE - Mississippi State called the Hogs on Thursday night in front of a crowd of 4,940 to an 87-73 victory while improving its record to 20-8 overall and 9-6 in the SEC.
State dominated the first quarter, starting the game on a 12-1 run in the first two minutes of the game while holding Arkansas to just nine points in the opening frame. It was the third time this season that Arkansas scored only nine points in the first. Going into halftime, the Bulldogs lead by 19, the largest lead at the half against an SEC team this season. Mississippi State also knocked down seven three-pointers, the most they've made in the first half in SEC play, finishing the game with 10, tied for most in a single SEC game this season.
The dynamic duo of Ahlana Smith and JerKaila Jordan showed out on Thursday. Jordan scored 19 points while adding three rebounds and four assists. Smith added 13 points and five rebounds on the night. Smith has been a firecracker, scoring in double-digits in five consecutive games, while Jordan has scored in double-digits in three straight games and five of the last six. Jessika Carter made a statement on senior day, putting up 16 points and 13 rebounds, recording her ninth double-double this season and 29th in her career.
Jessika Carter made a statement on senior day, putting up 16 points and 13 rebounds, recording her ninth double-double this season and 29th in her career. Kourtney Weber had a night, scoring 11 points, her first double-digit scoring game in SEC play this season.
Game Notes
• In the first half, State shot 56%, compared to Arkansas' 27%.
• 86 points is the most State has scored in an SEC game that ended in regulation since State scored 92 against Arkansas on February 27th, 2020.
• Anastasia Hayes dished out six assists on Thursday. It was her ninth game this season with at least six assists.
Quoting Coach Sam Purcell
Opening Statement
"First and foremost, thank you, Bulldog Nation. An 8 p.m. tip on a weekday, we have one of the best crowds in the nation. I challenged everyone to take a nap, coffee up, take another nap, and be ready to cheer like no other. The energy about this place, as I reflect through this season, makes me realize there's no better feeling than to play at home. It's something special that you can't put a word to. It's a magical place that loves women's basketball. To have senior day last game and Jess not being able to play, we made it a senior week. Like we talked about, we don't lose on senior week. There was just an unbelievable look from my young women, they're together, they're one. We talked about it all year, you want to be playing your best basketball come March, and I think you see this right now."
Quoting Jessika Carter
On coming back for senior day after missing a few games
"It felt really great, the love from the fans I got and being out there with my teammates. Missing those games, I would be like, dang, they're doing so good I can't wait to get back out there with them, and so it was really fun."
Up Next
Mississippi State will close out the regular season on Sunday, Feb. 26, at LSU. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network.
For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook, and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK.
State dominated the first quarter, starting the game on a 12-1 run in the first two minutes of the game while holding Arkansas to just nine points in the opening frame. It was the third time this season that Arkansas scored only nine points in the first. Going into halftime, the Bulldogs lead by 19, the largest lead at the half against an SEC team this season. Mississippi State also knocked down seven three-pointers, the most they've made in the first half in SEC play, finishing the game with 10, tied for most in a single SEC game this season.
The dynamic duo of Ahlana Smith and JerKaila Jordan showed out on Thursday. Jordan scored 19 points while adding three rebounds and four assists. Smith added 13 points and five rebounds on the night. Smith has been a firecracker, scoring in double-digits in five consecutive games, while Jordan has scored in double-digits in three straight games and five of the last six. Jessika Carter made a statement on senior day, putting up 16 points and 13 rebounds, recording her ninth double-double this season and 29th in her career.
Jessika Carter made a statement on senior day, putting up 16 points and 13 rebounds, recording her ninth double-double this season and 29th in her career. Kourtney Weber had a night, scoring 11 points, her first double-digit scoring game in SEC play this season.
Game Notes
• In the first half, State shot 56%, compared to Arkansas' 27%.
• 86 points is the most State has scored in an SEC game that ended in regulation since State scored 92 against Arkansas on February 27th, 2020.
• Anastasia Hayes dished out six assists on Thursday. It was her ninth game this season with at least six assists.
Quoting Coach Sam Purcell
Opening Statement
"First and foremost, thank you, Bulldog Nation. An 8 p.m. tip on a weekday, we have one of the best crowds in the nation. I challenged everyone to take a nap, coffee up, take another nap, and be ready to cheer like no other. The energy about this place, as I reflect through this season, makes me realize there's no better feeling than to play at home. It's something special that you can't put a word to. It's a magical place that loves women's basketball. To have senior day last game and Jess not being able to play, we made it a senior week. Like we talked about, we don't lose on senior week. There was just an unbelievable look from my young women, they're together, they're one. We talked about it all year, you want to be playing your best basketball come March, and I think you see this right now."
Quoting Jessika Carter
On coming back for senior day after missing a few games
"It felt really great, the love from the fans I got and being out there with my teammates. Missing those games, I would be like, dang, they're doing so good I can't wait to get back out there with them, and so it was really fun."
Up Next
Mississippi State will close out the regular season on Sunday, Feb. 26, at LSU. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network.
For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook, and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK.
– HailState.com –
Team Stats
Ark
MSU
FG%
.354
.491
3FG%
.250
.435
FT%
.613
.724
RB
40
44
TO
10
13
STL
7
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
4
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
F/C
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
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