Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs matched the school record for wins in a season, 24, with a 73-47 win over Manhattan College in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday night. The Bulldogs advanced to the round of 32 for the third time in their last three trips to the tournament.
MSU opened the game with tenacious defense, which held the overmatched Lady Jaspers scoreless over the first nine minutes. The Lady Bulldogs went on to hold Manhattan to 14 points in the first 20 minutes of play, and led 33-14 at the half.
“I am pleased with the effort and that we came out focused. It was a great win to get the tournament started,” MSU head coach Sharon Fanning said. “We felt like defense was going to be a key. They (Manhattan) are an aggressive, scrappy basketball team that stays after it.”
MSU senior and reigning SEC Player of the year LaToya Thomas continued to make her bid for National Player of the Year and the SEC scoring title for this season. Thomas posted 22 points to go along with 13 rebounds.
“‘Toya (Thomas) is a much more balanced player now, and she has continued to improve every year,” Fanning said of her star. “She understands all aspects of the game. Her communication, focus and teaching has definitely made her a more versatile player.”
Tan White also posted 22 points for the Lady Bulldogs, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range. In only the second start of her short career, Doceide Warren posted nine points on 4-of-6 from the field 1-of-2 from 3-point range.
The Lady Bulldogs advance to take on the sub-regional host and No. 6 seed Lobos of New Mexico last night. New Mexico defeated the University of Miami (Fla.) in overtime 91-85 on Saturday night.