Mississippi State Battles Utah And South Florida At Cayman Islands Classic

GEORGE TOWN, CAYMAN ISLANDS – Mississippi State women's basketball will take part in the 2024 Cayman Islands Classic when it faces Utah on Thursday, Nov. 28 before it battles South Florida on Friday, Nov. 29 inside John Gray Gymnasium. Both games will tip off at 6:30 p.m. CT and be streamed on FloCollege.

GAME INFORMATION
Mississippi State (6-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. Utah (5-1, 0-0 BIG 12)/South Florida (4-3, 0-0 AAC)
Date: Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 | Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Location: George Town, Cayman Islands (John Gray Gymnasium)
Watch: FloCollege
Listen: MSU Radio Network – Starkville 96.1

Fans who are not in attendance can follow the action on FloCollege or through their affiliate radio station with Jason Crowder. Live statistics will be available at CaymanIslandsClassic.com.

It is the second-straight season that Mississippi State has started 6-0 under Head Coach Sam Purcell. Mississippi State had a Purcell-best 8-0 start to its season in 2023-24.

Mississippi State is 4-1 in Thanksgiving tournament games under Purcell. Mississippi State swept Clemson, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Tulsa to be crowned 2023 Van Chancellor Classic champions in Katy, Texas.

Mississippi State will tip off with Utah for the fourth time in program history on Thursday and for the fifth time with South Florida on Friday. Mississippi State leads the all-time series 2-1 with Utah and is tied 2-2 with South Florida.

After defeating Jacksonville in the 2024 WBCA State Farm Showcase, Mississippi State is 9-1 in non-conference neutral-site games under Purcell. Mississippi State has won 13 of its last 14 non-conference games overall dating back to the 2023-24 season.

Mississippi State ranks first in the nation in both scoring defense at 42.2 points per game and field-goal percentage defense at 25.4 percent from the field. The Bulldogs also are eighth nationally and lead the SEC in three-point field-goal percentage defense, limiting opponents to 20.1 percent from behind the arc through the first six games.

Mississippi State also ranks first in the nation with a 29.4 percent effective field-goal percentage defense and a 28.9 percent two-point field-goal percentage defense.

Mississippi State has held all six opponents under 30.0 percent from the field this season – Memphis 27.1, Alcorn State 28.3 and Alabama State 22.4, Chattanooga 27.1, Mercer 27.8 and Jacksonville 18.9.

Mississippi State has only allowed 197 points – 39.4 per game – over its last five games, which is the lowest total over a five-game stretch since 2015-16. Mississippi State limited Jacksonville to 10 or less points in all four quarters last time out on Nov. 24.

Mississippi State has forced 15 or more turnovers in five of its first six games, including 26 against Alabama State on Nov. 13, which was the most since the Bulldogs forced 30 against Texas A&M-Commerce on Dec. 11, 2022. Mississippi State is averaging 24.2 points off turnovers through its first six games.

Mississippi State only allowed a program-record one point in the third quarter against Alabama State on Nov. 13. The 29 points allowed to Alabama State on Nov. 13 was the fifth-lowest total allowed to an opponent in program history.

Mississippi State received four votes in the Week Four edition of the USA Today Coaches Top-25 poll, released on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

Visit HailState.com and social media accounts @HailStateWBK for the most up-to-date information on Mississippi State women's basketball.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Mississippi State Battles Utah And South Florida At Cayman Islands Classic

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