Getting Back Up
January 16, 2024 | Women's Basketball
Bulldogs show resiliency in wins over Arkansas and Ole Miss.
STARKVILLE – They got knocked down, and they got up again.
The Mississippi State women's basketball team began Southeastern Conference play with an 0-2 start, but head coach Sam Purcell's group had the motivation and fight to bounce back with two impressive wins – first at Arkansas, then against rival Ole Miss last Sunday – to improve to 2-2 in the league and 15-4 overall.
"Sometimes you got to get knocked down to get up," Purcell said after the 69-57 victory over the Rebels. "Our kids are motivated. Like I told y'all last game against Arkansas, we've got some dogs. Most importantly, some Mississippi State Bulldogs."
Graduate center Jessika Carter was at the forefront of the Bulldogs' big week. The Waverly Hall, Georgia, product dominated the Razorbacks with the 35th double-double of her career, collecting 22 points and 19 rebounds in the tight 66-63 victory. Carter followed with 23 points and two blocked shots against the Rebels.
Carter not only guided the Bulldogs to back-to-back victories with her play on the court, but with her leadership in the huddle. She's someone Purcell can always count on to bring a winning attitude and a Bulldog mentality.
"I love that kid for multiple reasons," Purcell said. "She's in the best shape of her life. She's a dog. She works. There's a demeanor about her. But most importantly as the head coach of this program I love that kid because that kid's got my back.
"Every time we're in a tough situation she speaks. She repeats. When adversity hits, her character comes out through the roof. She's like, 'Uh-uh, not tonight. We're winning this game.' And you can't put a price tag on that. That's what a fifth-year is supposed to do and she's doing everything and then some."
That mentality has rubbed off on the entire team, and it helped the Bulldogs pull out their latest two wins despite trailing in the fourth quarter in both games. They held Arkansas to four points in the final five minutes of action on Thursday and did not allow Ole Miss to score once in the final five minutes on Sunday.
Against Ole Miss, the Mississippi State defense created 18 turnovers and blocked three shots. Sophomore Debreasha Powe, a Merdian, Miss. native, was a catalyst of the defensive intensity with two steals against the rival Rebels.
"Honestly I think it was just our mindset," Powe said. "We were all one on the court. The energy we brought in the fourth quarter, we were like, 'We can't be denied.'"
Powe grew up cheering for Mississippi State and badly wanted a win over Ole Miss. She showed up in a big way on Sunday with eight points and two three-pointers, draining a dagger from the left corner to put the Bulldogs ahead 65-57 with 2:25 remaining.
"It means a lot to be able to pull off this win," Powe said. "We wanted it, and I know I wanted it. I wanted to beat them bad. It's a rivalry game. I'm from Mississippi. This is what we've always known. I've been a big Mississippi State fan so for us to pull it off today is, you know, a great feeling."
The Lady Bulldogs took a moment following Sunday's win to celebrate the rivalry victory and the 2-0 week with the 7,101 fans that packed Humphrey Coliseum. It was a moment Purcell wanted his team to have to thank the fanbase for its outstanding support and to look back at what they've gone through the to get to this point.
"That's what this is about," Purcell said. "I honestly believe it with all my heart that this one of the best jobs in the country. Our fan base is special. There was just an energy that I wanted to make sure that we thanked them. And then life is hard, man. We've been beat up. I keep telling y'all that we've been beat up. But like I said, you've got to get knocked down to get up."
