Lady Bulldogs Advance to the Sweet 16
For the second time in program history, the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Mississippi State proved to be the real “MSU” on Sunday afternoon when they defeated Michigan State, 74-72.
Victoria Vivians was everything you’d hope to get from a star player: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. Michigan State went on a 20-0 run in the second half after Mississippi State had stretch their lead to 20, and then it was back-and-forth until the end.
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At one point late in the game, the Spartans banked in a three pointer from NBA-range to take the lead only to see Vivians to sink a NBA-range three of her own seconds later to take the lead back.
The Hump had seven thousand plus – and it was rocking when Breanna Richardson became the hero of the game with a three point shot that gave the Bulldogs a 72-69 lead.
It was Richardson’s only three point basket of the game, and only her fourth three all year! In fact, she was only shooting 19% from behind the arc but with :34 left she calmly put up the shot which gave Mississippi State the lead for good. After exchanging free throws and some good defense, the Lady Bulldogs secured their ticket to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2010.
The 2 coaches who have taken us to the #Sweet16 #ncaaw #WhatItsAllFour pic.twitter.com/NnwCAzxMu5
— Mississippi State Women's Basketball (@HailStateWBK) March 20, 2016
This weekend ends up a very successful one in the program’s first ever time to host NCAA Tournament games. Last year MSU was a 5 seed when they traveled to Duke but lost. This year, as a 5 seed fortunate to host, they advance to next weekend.
There will be a tall task in front of them (most likely). Undefeated UConn – winners of the last three national championships and five of the last seven – will be waiting. In fact, the Huskies haven’t lost a game since the fall of 2014 (only gave they’ve lost in their last 111) so it would take a monumental upset to defeat them. But you never know…