Whatever It Takes
January 29, 2024 | Women's Basketball, Joel Coleman
Darrione Rogers’ heroics against No. 9 LSU epitomize why Sam Purcell’s Bulldogs are on a path towards March once again.
STARKVILLE – Just over a minute was left in the game Monday night, and Mississippi State was closing in on a STATEment win over No. 9 LSU. But the Dawgs needed a dagger, because defending national champions don't go down so easily. Luckily, Darrione Rogers was there to deliver.
Rogers, out beyond the arc, received a pass from Jessika Carter. The DePaul transfer fired away.
Swish. It was nothing but net.
Just like that, the Dawgs led by six and were on their way to a 77-73 victory over the Tigers in front of a sold-out Humphrey Coliseum crowd.
"This will be one I never forget," State head coach Sam Purcell said. "I don't want to go to sleep. It's like Christmas."
Rest easy, Coach Purcell. Because these Bulldogs seem to have the gift that keeps on giving. They have a group full of young women willing to do whatever it takes to win. It leads them to humongous triumphs like Monday's over LSU, and if it keeps up, it can lead them straight to the madness of March for a second-straight season.
Players like Rogers epitomize all that, as her 19 points off the bench – including four 3-pointers – proved on Monday.
Some might say that Rogers isn't a star, given she's only drawn four starts all season. But for Purcell…
"She's my star," Purcell proclaimed. "Here's the thing, that kid is from Chicago and there is a swag about her. There's a DNA about her. That's one of the things, out of the transfer portal, that I've always told her. There's no doubt she's going to be a future coach, but while I've got you right now, live for this moment.
"We've had great talks behind the scenes. She believes in me, but most importantly, I believe in her. For her to stick the course in this era where transfers and things don't always work out, she's not built like that. She's like, 'Coach, whatever you want, I'll do it.' That shot at the shot clock, I was like, 'Is that D or Michael Jordan?'
Oh, it was Rogers alright, and Purcell is fortunate enough to have a team full of players much like her.
Of course, much can be written about players like Carter and Jerkaila Jordan and Debreasha Powe and others that've been helping wrap games in Maroon and White for years now. Their contributions were, and continue to be, invaluable.
But what about players like Rogers and freshman Mjracle Sheppard? They may not always hear their names called in the starting lineup, but they're everything Purcell is looking for in a Bulldog
They're unselfish. They have team-first mentalities. Their soul focus? Helping the Dawgs to win again.
"I'm a man of words," Purcell said. "Last year, [the team slogan] was, 'Why not us?' This year, it's, 'One.' That's what we have is one special team. It doesn't have to be just the starters. It can be people that come off the bench. You need starters and bench players to make one special team. That's what you saw [Monday]. It was, 'When my number is called, how can I help my team? And how can we find a way to get one special win?'"
You do things like Rogers did – hit a trey with the shot clock winding down that all but cemented an unforgettable victory.
"Honestly, it was just confidence," Rogers said to explain the biggest of her big shots Monday. "I was ready when my number got called. I knew I was going to go out there and give it my all. My teammates and coaching staff look for me to step up in certain moments…I just come in and do whatever I can when my number is called."
Unselfishness like Rogers shows will take teams a long way, and these Dawgs are full of unselfish players. Whether it's Rogers hitting key shots off the bench, Lauren Park-Lane dishing out a game-changing assist, or a first-year Dawg like Sheppard coming in as a reserve and getting steal after steal, rebound after rebound and scoring point after point to be a spark that set The Hump on fire Monday – State seems laser-focused on just one thing: winning.
They truly have become what Purcell has wanted all along. They've become one.
From the most heralded starter to the last player on the bench, all that matters is getting the W. And when that's the case, there isn't any W a team can't get.
Yes, March is still a couple of months away, but Monday showed incredible potential for the Dawgs is there. There's still much work to do, but Monday solidified State has a team full of ladies ready to do absolutely whatever it takes to dance and dance for a while.
"Winning this game against the defending champs, it shows us what we're capable of," Rogers said.
