Lady Bulldogs Close Out Regular Season Hosting Sixth-Ranked LSU
STARKVILLE, Miss. ? The Mississippi State women’s basketball team (15-11, 4-9 Southeastern Conference) plays host to sixth-ranked LSU (24-4, 13-0 SEC) Sunday afternoon to close out the 2007-08 regular season. Tipoff between the Lady Bulldogs and Lady Tigers is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT at Humphrey Coliseum, and will be televised nationally by Fox Sports Net with Dave Neal and Carol Ross calling the action.
Prior to Sunday’s game, seniors Imesia Jackson, Amy Reeder, Miayorka Johnson and manager John Reliford will be honored by the Lady Bulldog basketball team. The four seniors will be participating in their last game at Humphrey Coliseum for the maroon and white.
The matchup between Mississippi State and LSU Sunday will mark the second time the two teams have met this season. The Lady Tigers took an 84-31 victory over State earlier in the year. LSU Head Coach Van Chancellor will be making a return trip to his alma mater. The Winston County native graduated from Mississippi State in 1965.
The Lady Bulldogs enter the matchup with LSU coming off a hard-fought 72-46 loss to third-ranked Tennessee on Saturday. During that contest, State went on a 15-0 run to take to take a lead late in the opening period, but could never garner control of the game. For the season, MSU is led by sophomore guard Alexis Rack. The three-point specialist leads the team in scoring with 11.7 points per game, while shooting nearly 33 percent from behind the arc. The Lady Bulldogs are paced on the boards by sophomore forward Tysheka Grimes, who is averaging 6.5 rebounds per game.
Coming off a Final Four appearance a season ago, LSU has not disappointed Lady Tiger fans in the 2007-08 season. The team is currently ranked sixth in the country and is battling Tennessee for the SEC Championship. The senior-laden lineup is led by all-American candidate Sylvia Fowles. The senior leads the team in scoring and rebounding with 18.2 points and 9.7 boards a game.
Following the matchup with LSU, Mississippi State travels to Nashville, Tenn. for the 2008 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament. The event tips off next Wednesday, March 5 at Nashville’s Sommet Center.