MState Women Host #12 Vanderbilt Thursday Evening
Sophomore guard Marneshia Richard scored a career-high 24 points and tied a career-best with seven rebounds as MSU defeated Florida, 79-74, Sunday afternoon in Gainesville. Richard led the MSU charge late in the game and hit key free throws with 26 seconds remaining in the game. She also added four assists in the win.
Freshman Alexis Rack turned in 19 points while junior Imesia Jackson tallied 14 points. The scoring front was rounded out with freshman forward Tysheka Grimes adding 11 points. For the second-straight game, freshman Bethany Washington posted a double-figure rebounding total with 10. The Lady Bulldogs continued their hot free-throw shooting by tying a season-high 87.5 percent from the charity stripe on 21-for-24 shooting.
MSU currently ranks in the top half of the SEC in several statistical categories. In league games only, the Lady Bulldogs are second in three-point field goal percentage (.352), third free-throw percentage(.724) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.273). The ladies rank fourth in steals (9.40), fifth in scoring offense (69.5) and are sixth in rebounding offense (39.1), offensive rebounds (13.80) and defensive rebounds (25.30). Individually in SEC games only, Richard is second in field goal percentage (.500) and third in steals (2.70), while Rack is second in three-point field goals made (2.50).
Overall, MSU is third in three-point field goal percentage defense (.289), fourth in three-point field goals made (5.76), fifth in offensive rebounds (15.12) and sixth in field goal percentage (.384). Individually in overall games, Richard is fourth in steals (2.44) and Rack is seventh in three-point field goals made (1.80).
Vanderbilt enters Thursday's game 21-4 overall and 7-3 in league play (fifth). The Commodores are on a four-game winning streak and are ranked 12th in the Associated Press poll and 13th in the WBCA Coaches poll. Carla Thomas leads the team in scoring (16.4) and rebounds (6.8), while two other players - Caroline Williams (12.2 ppg) and Christina Wirth(11.4 ppg) also average double figures.
Three of he Commodores' four losses on the year are to opponents who were ranked at the time of the game - Duke, Georgia and Tennessee. On the road this season, VU is 6-3 overall and 3-2 in the league. The Commodores are second in the league in scoring offense (78.1 ppg) and first in free throw percentage (.739), field goal percentage (.504) and three-point field goal percentage (.430). VU is also first in rebounding defense (32.9) and assists (18.84). In league games only, the Commodores are first in scoring offense (73.6).
Following Thursday's game, the Lady Bulldogs close out their 2006-07 home schedule by hosting archrival Mississippi in a 2 p.m. contest from Humphrey Coliseum. Sunday's game is sponsored by the Lady Bulldog Mentors.