No.2 Mississippi State rolls through Oxford with ease

It was a “walk in the park”, as they say, following No. 2 Mississippi State’s 69-49 win over the rival Ole Miss Rebels. It was over within the first two minutes, as Morgan William found sniper Blair Schaefer for three. Resulting in a 17-4 lead, Schaefer set the tone, and it was nothing but smooth sailing from there.

Though superstars Teaira McCowan and Victoria Vivians found themselves in foul trouble early, it proved to be a nonissue, as other Bulldogs stepped up when called upon. However, Vivians still posted 25 points, her 11th 20-point game of the season. Morgan William added eight points and three steals.

With seven points off the bench, Jazzmun Holmes has proven to be reliable. Coach Vic Schaefer has an all-purpose player in Holmes. She is a spark plug on both ends of the floor, igniting a formidable second unit without Vivians and/or McCowan.

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Despite her three personal fouls, Vivians still had a day, as “Queen Victoria” was all smiles. Playfully smirking at Coach Schaefer after a step back, she took the second half into her own hands. Nevertheless, Vivians still had the serious look in her eye.

Ending the month with a convincing win over a rival is about as good as it gets, as Mississippi State heads into February with plenty of work ahead. There is much more to prove and nobody lives up to a challenge quite like this team. It will only get tougher, but this is a special group of talent, as they would not have it any other way.

The Bulldogs will be in Columbia to take on the No. 11 Missouri Tigers Thursday at 8:30 P.M ET