While MSU started its preseason campaign on the losing end, they have learned things about themselves and each other that will aid them in being a better team. Especially on a team garnished with an abundance of youth and lack of a dominant scorer.
Progress will be the key to this year’s Lady Bulldog campaign each day and each game making strides on the court.
“Defensively, I was proud in the second half. We closed a 20-point gap to two points,” head coach Sharon Fanning said. “Offensively we have got to do a better job getting the ball to the rim. We are getting beat down the floor and we didn’t guard shooters well. Tonight the progress I saw was us fighting back.”
State opened its second exhibition game Friday night with a pair of baskets from senior forward Mamie McKinney and sophomore guard Miayorka Johnson to go up 4-0.
Athletes in Action stormed back by jumping out to a 10-point with 14 minutes remaining. State fought hard and found baskets on a layup and free throws, but it was not enough as AIA extended the margin to 20.
With such youthful teams there comes the confusion of terminologies and the lack of knowledge it takes to compete on the college level. According to Fanning, youthfulness is no excuse.
“We have to have them (younger players) push us and to play. They have played every position on the floor,” she said. “They know how to play back to the bucket, know how to shoot the three, they can pass, drive, they run the floor, and they are going to play exceptionally hard.”
With the prowess of several key players, MSU was able to rally and cut a 20- point deficit to two points off baskets from Johnson, senior forward Blessing Chekwa, freshman guard Marneshia Richard, freshman guard Robin Porter and junior forward Natasha Henderson.
Although MSU battled hard and fought its way back into contention, it was not enough as AIA pulled away with 11:15 left to play and never looked back.
Mississippi State opens the 2005-06 regular season at home on Friday at 7 p.m. against Southeastern Louisiana.