Brown-Hagger Leads Bulldogs on Career Night
March 22, 2024 | Women's Basketball
State freshman helped push her team to the second round of the WBIT.
STARKVILLE – An up-and-coming star rose to the top in Mississippi State's 84-47 victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday night at Humphrey Coliseum. The talented Jasmine Brown-Hagger gave a glimpse of her impressive skill set as she helped the Bulldogs advance in the WBIT.
The freshman exploded for a team-high 17 points while pulling down five rebounds, dishing four assists and snagging two steals. Although Brown-Hagger might be a rookie by classification, head coach Sam Purcell explained just how much she and her freshmen teammates have grown throughout the season.
"They're all sophomores at this time of year, and she played like one," Purcell said. "She was smooth, she just had a great flow and gave us great minutes off the bench."
Brown-Hagger shot an incredible 70 percent from the floor and went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc, but believe it or not, that wasn't her main focus of the night.
"Honestly, I wasn't even thinking to score," Brown-Hagger said. "I think that's just how the cards were just dealt, cause I'm normally defensive-minded. I was getting stops on defense, so that just contributed into the offense."
The Shorewood, Illinois native was quick to credit those around her with helping her reach her career night in one of the most important games of the season.
"I think just my teammates being with us, like, everyone just constantly sharing the ball," Brown-Hagger said. "And today just happened to be my night with some of the shots I got up, so that's really to the team, just working hard."
With the veteran style of play came a veteran style of coaching from Purcell. The second-year leader of the Dawgs was a bit harder on Brown-Hagger than he had been in the past, especially during one specific play in the game.
"My moment for her is I wanted to check her," Purcell said. "She had a drive right there where [Lauren Park-Lane] was wide open, she didn't get off the ball and I went right at her."
Purcell used the in-game mistake as a learning opportunity, and it resonated well with Brown-Hagger.
"I was like, 'No, I'm coaching you hard because I'm going to coach you hard for the next few years,' and she was like, 'OK, I've got you,'" Purcell said.
As the seconds ticked down and the victory was clinched, Brown-Hagger was swarmed by her teammates. With big smiles on their faces, they hugged her to the point of nearly lifting her off the ground. They, along with Purcell and his assistant coaches, knew just how hard she had been working.
"The way she responded on a night that was her night, it was fun to see, because man, what a great kid," Purcell said. "She's been nothing but first class. She's worked hard behind the scenes and I think the biggest compliment is [Jerkaila Jordan]."
Jordan, who thrives off of tough layups, quick jumpers and electric three-pointers, was one of the top guards in the SEC this season. According to Purcell, the senior sees many parallels between herself and the rookie.
"[Jordan] tells me all the time [Brown-Hagger] reminds her of her, if that makes sense," Purcell said. "[Jasmine] is like a little [Jordan], and I think you saw some special things tonight that look like a little [Jordan]."
The Bulldogs are now turning their attention to going on a championship run in the inaugural WBIT. Brown-Hagger is excited to continue the tournament experience and believes that State has exactly what it needs to pick up key wins over the next few weeks.
"We have a lot of seniority above us, so I feel like going forward into the postseason we know what to expect, what not to expect, and then even just playing in the WBIT is just something to be thankful for," Brown-Hagger said.
Mississippi State will host TCU in the second round of the WBIT on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. CT at Humphrey Coliseum.
