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The Mississippi State women’s basketball remain at No. 6 in the Associated Press Women’s Basketball poll for Week 14 that was released Monday afternoon.
Still ranked at No. 6, your Bulldogs remain the only SEC team in the Top 10!#HailState pic.twitter.com/KlkuoOh3od
— MSU W. Basketball (@HailStateWBK) February 4, 2019
The Lady Bulldogs (21-1, 9-0 in SEC) remain atop the Southeastern Athletic Conference (SEC) going into another week of women’s hoops action. Behind the Lady Bulldogs sit No. 12 South Carolina (16-5, 8-1) and No. 18 Texas A&M (18-4, 7-2).
Mississippi State earned two road victories last week over LSU (68-35) and Alabama (65-49), two struggling teams near the bottom of the conference in terms of standings.
Lady Bulldogs guard Andra Espinoza-Hunter scored 16 points, center Teaira McCowan had 13 points and 20 rebounds and guard Jordan Danberry finished with 12 points in the win over LSU. The Lady Bulldogs allowed their fewest points ever in their matchup against the Lady Tigers.
Against Alabama, forward Anriel Howard led the way for the Lady Bulldogs as she finished with 24 points and seven rebounds, followed by McCowan with 12 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks (18th double-double of the season) and guard Jazzmun Holmes with 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.
“I just was really proud defensively. I thought we were really good again tonight.”
— MSU W. Basketball (@HailStateWBK) February 3, 2019
Over the last five games, @CoachVic_MSU’s Bulldogs have held opponents to an average of 49.8 points.
: https://t.co/0VZPHQk083#HailState pic.twitter.com/TqcnWCK0sf
LIVE | @CoachVic_MSU, @Teaira_15 & @lashe5_ recap today’s win at Alabama. #HailState https://t.co/HzkZ5Wlxqj
— MSU W. Basketball (@HailStateWBK) February 3, 2019
This week, Mississippi State returns to action on Sunday as the Lady Bulldogs host Tennessee in what should be a pivotal SEC matchup.
Tennessee (15-7, 4-5) is currently in a three-way tie for eighth place in the conference standings with Georgia (13-9, 4-5) and LSU (12-8, 3-5). The Lady Volunteers enter Sunday’s game riding a three-game winning streak with victories over LSU (74-65), Florida (67-50) and a road victory against Vanderbilt (82-65).
While their last three opponents sit in the bottom half of the standings, Tennessee will look to carry its winning momentum into the game against Mississippi State Sunday afternoon.
The Lady Vols feature some dynamic playmakers in guard Evina Westbrook, who leads the team in scoring and averages 16.8 points per game (fourth in the SEC), followed by guard Rennia Davis averaging 13.1 ppg, guard Meme Jackson (12.1 ppg) and guard Zaay Green (10.6 ppg). Westbrook also sits third in SEC in assists per game with 4.9.
As for Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer, he will look to keep his team focused and motivated headed into Sunday’s game as the Lady Bulldogs look to earn their 12th consecutive victory and 26th straight regular-season conference victory.