Mississippi State Women's Basketball Defense Shines Against Southeastern Louisiana
The Mississippi State Women’s Basketball team started slow but pulled away in the third quarter to win 65-45 against Southeastern Louisiana on Friday evening. It was a group effort by MSU, highlighted by an impressive defensive performance across the board.
Jerkaila Jordan was again excellent on the defensive side of the ball after a standout game in the season opener against Alcorn State. Her rotation on the defensive end and the ability to stay in front of anyone she was holding stood out. MSU (2-0) also recorded 11 steals and five blocks to generate 18 turnovers.
On the other end, the Lady Bulldogs had three players with double-digit points. Alongside sophomore Debreasha Powe’s 19, Jordan had 13, and forward Jessika Carter scored 12 off the bench. This will be something to watch as the season develops. On any given night, anyone on this roster could score 15-plus points.
It was a competitive first quarter, especially with the Lady Bulldogs missing many jump shots. But they ended the quarter strong and kept turning the defensive intensity up throughout the game.
However, at the 4:57 mark in the first quarter, senior Ramani Parker went down with an apparent injury.
She took a successful charge, but it seems to be a serious left leg injury that left her unable to walk off the court. Her knee seemed to give way after the contact.
The second quarter was the same with a strong defensive performance from both teams during the majority of play, and both sides notching nine points.
Coming out after halftime, MSU took over the game with another defensive masterclass for the quarter. Led by Powe, who did most of her scoring from beyond the 3-point-line and also had nine rebounds, the Bulldogs scored 24 points to pull away.
The fourth quarter was similar to the others with the Bulldogs playing intensive defense that caused the Lions (1-1) to turn the ball over 18 times. MSU had the size advantage, and it took it by going to the free throw line 19 times and making 13.
The Bulldogs will stay in Starkville for their next game against Jacksonville State on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
