Mississippi State Basketball: The #6 Lady Bulldogs Host New Orleans Tonight

Mar 7, 2020; Greenville, SC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Rickea Jackson (5) shoots against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2020; Greenville, SC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs forward Rickea Jackson (5) shoots against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mississippi State Basketball: The #6 Lady Bulldogs Host New Orleans Tonight

The Mississippi State Basketball Lady Bulldogs will host Southland Conference opponent New Orleans tonight at 7 PM and airing on SEC Network+.  The Lady Bulldogs started the Nikki McCray-Penson era off with a win by defeating Jackson State 88-58 on November 29th.

Rickea Jackson scored 19 points to lead three other Lady Bulldogs who scored double figures. Jessika Carter, JaMya Mingo-Young, and Myah Taylor scored 14,13, and 11 points. Carter also had a block party with five.

Sidney Cooks, Caterrion Thompson, Charlotte Kohl, and Madison Hayes made their debut against Jackson State, and all three showed they would be contributors off the bench. The Lady Bulldogs will now focus on New Orleans tonight,

The Lady Privateers come into the Hump 1-0 after defeating Texas State 67-64 on November 28. Jada Duncantell scored 28 points to lead her team. Mia Deck and Traya Bruce each had 12 points.

Keys to a Lady Bulldog Win

I do no do want to sound overconfident here, but this game will not be close. Mississippi State has too much talent for New Orleans to overcome. The only thing that bothered me about the win against Jackson State was that the Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Bulldogs 25-14 in the 4th quarter.

The Lady Privateers did not particularly shoot it well against Texas State either. The Lady Bulldogs defense should force plenty of turnovers, and I do not expect Duncatell have a repeat performance.

I expect Rickea to have a big game with a double-double and also to continue launching three-pointers. She shot 50% and the team 41% from behind the arc against Jackson State. I also expect Carter and the rest of the ladies to wear down New Orleans with their dominance.

Prediction

This is another tuneup game for #6 Mississippi State. The Lady Bulldogs should come out hot and run the Lady Privateers off the floor. Coach McCray-Penson will win her first two games as Mississippi State’s head coach, and Madison Hayes will score double figures in her second career game.

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