The Lady Bulldogs came into Sunday’s game against Auburn on an emotional high after LaToya Thomas’ two free throws beat Georgia, giving Mississippi State its first ever season sweep of the Bulldogs. Mississippi State rode that high into the game against Auburn hoping to get revenge, and they proved that they are a team to reckon with in the SEC winning their fourth straight game, 76-57. Thomas scored 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the team made up for the mistakes made in the first meeting with Auburn this season where they lost 81-61. State’s defense forced Auburn to shoot 33 percent from the floor, they outrebounded the Tigers 48-38, and the perimeter shooting played well with the team connecting on eight three-pointers on the day. Mississippi State took charge of the second half by bringing down nine offensive rebounds and getting second chance opportunities in the paint. They did not shoot a free throw the entire first half, but they came out more aggressive underneath the basket getting to the foul line 18 times, converting on 14 of them. The team shot 52 percent for the half and outscored the Tigers 49-34. The Bulldogs had runs of 10-2 and 13-2 stretching the lead to 72-50. Thomas said they came out sluggish to start the game, but really came out focused in the second half.
“We played determined and together, and we stayed ahead,” Thomas said. Thomas got help on the offensive side as Jennifer Fambrough scored 14 points and Tan White added 13. Seneca Anderson came off the bench playing many minutes as she scored seven and got two steals. Anderson said coach Sharon Fanning challenged them at the half asking them if they had the heart.
“Coach told us that we had to stay focused, rebound, play better defense and hustle, and the offense would come to us,” Anderson said.
Defense was the key for the Lady Bulldogs as they remembered how Auburn players Carol Smith and Le’Coe Willingham lit them up combining for 45 points in the last meeting with the Tigers. On Sunday, the defense held their own, giving up 15 points to the two. Fanning was pleased with the entire effort of the team staying focused and playing hard.
“In the second half we played better as a team and looked for the ball in the right places,” Fanning said. “We did a better job of defending, got to the free throw line and we had a positive assist to turnover ratio. Seneca gave us a huge lift off the bench and helped defensively.