It was a back and forth game between Mississippi State University and the University of South Carolina on Thursday night, as is to be expected when these two programs compete.
They have gone head to head in the past two SEC Tournament championship games, and even met in the 2017 National Championship. All three of those games went to South Carolina, but on Thursday night the Bulldogs returned the favor with an emphatic 89-74 win over the Gamecocks.
While they finished strong, things went south for Mississippi State on their second possession of the game, when Chloe Bibby, a sophomore forward from Warracknabeal, Australia, went down with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. She was immediately taken to the locker room, and it was confirmed that she would not return to the game.
“It’s really what you dread as a coach,” head coach Vic Schaefer said. “To see that happen to her just rips your guts out, just rips your heart out.”
The loss called for quick changes in the Bulldogs’ personnel, with Bre’Amber Scott, a sophomore from Little Rock, Arkansas, stepping up to take the bulk of the missing minutes. She concluded the night with 11 points, a fact not unnoticed by Schaefer.
“To have Bre’Amber come off the bench and play 27 minutes, it just really says lot about Bre, but also about this group,” Schaefer said.
Despite the emotional nature of Bibby’s injury, it was clear the Bulldogs remained focused on the game before them, but that did not make it any easier for the Bulldogs to stop their opponent’s stellar shooting.
South Carolina’s offense was reliant on three pointers and other long jump shots, a strategy which worked very well for them early, as they started out 6-6 from beyond the arc. However, as the game progressed, the Gamecock’s three point game steadily flatlined. They would go 0-10 from three point range in the fourth quarter. Jazzmun Holmes, a senior guard from Gulfport, said MSU’s improving defense was key to extending their lead late.
“I feel like we guarded the three point line a little better,” Holmes said.
Schaefer noted the team’s zone defense was a major factor in preventing long range shots to fall for South Carolina as he said the team became more comfortable defending the Gamecocks as the game went on.
“To see us play (zone) tonight that much, and to play it that well,” Schaefer said. “I feel like as the game went on we got more comfortable with it, and really became more aware of what they were trying to do to us.”
On offense, Mississippi State was led by Teaira McCowan, senior center from Brenham, Texas, who had an enormous performance for the Bulldogs. She scored 26 points and reigned in 24 rebounds while playing all 40 minutes of game time.
“When Chloe (Bibby) went down, I knew my teammates needed me extra,” McCowan said. “I just stood up.”
MSU never trailed in the fourth quarter, and took full control of the game while South Carolina tossed up desperate three pointers. They outscored the Gamecocks 20-8 in the final quarter, sealing victory quickly and efficiently.
It was huge win for the Bulldogs, giving them sole possession of the top spot in SEC play. However, with the possible loss of Chloe Bibby for the season, the game may have a profound impact going forward as the Bulldogs will be back in action on Jan. 24 at the University of Florida.
