Mississippi State Women’s Basketball gets past Arizona State 76-53, will dance into Elite 8

All five starters were in double figures, as it took everything and then some to come out with a victory over the Sun Devils. From frustration to history, this game was a nail biter, that is, until the third quarter. Teaira McCowan posted 22 points on 6-8 shooting. Another double double, McCowan added 13 rebounds, surpassing Sylvia Fowles for the all-time record in the tournament.

Anriel Howard and Jordan Danberry, both battling foul trouble with four, were held to 11 points. Jazzmun Holmes and Andra Espinoza-Hunter combined for 25. Kianna Ibis, Arizona State’s leading scorer also found herself in foul trouble, having posted 16 points in 19 minutes.

The Bulldogs are a second half team. However, they must get out to a running start against Oregon come Sunday. Arizona State hung around for the majority of the first half, crowding the paint and presenting McCowan with many different looks. But once McCowan figured it out, there was no stopping her.

Once Ibis was taken away, Mississippi State had this game. Though they have made it to the Elite 8 and continue to dominate, the Bulldogs have to show up all four quarters. Look for Vic Schaefer to make some changes for Sunday’s showdown.