Mississippi State Basketball: 3 Takeaways from the Lady Bulldogs Loss to South Florida
Mississippi State Basketball: 3 Takeaways from the Lady Bulldogs Loss to South Florida
No, It was not all a dream, my fellow Bulldog fans. The #6 Mississippi State Basketball Lady Bulldogs fell last night to South Florida. There was a reason I called South Florida the first true test of the season for Mississippi State.
The Lady Bulls played their second straight Top 10 team and finished (1-1). When I saw the final score and analyzed the Baylor game’s highlights, I knew the Lady Bulls would not be an easy opponent.
The Lady Bulldogs battled but, in the end, fell to South Florida 67-63. Mississippi State squandered several lead changes and chances to put away South Florida. With time winding down, the Lady Bulldogs would turn the ball over with a chance to take the lead.
Here are my three takeaways from the Lady Bulldogs’ loss to South Florida.
Shooting, Shooting, and Foul Shooting Needs to Improve
The Mississippi State Basketball Lady Bulldogs had a nightmarish shooting performance last night. The Lady Bulldogs has a fantastic start to the game, shooting 50% field and three-point range in the first quarter. The Lady Bulldogs also made 75% of their free-throws.
What followed was a shooting display that would damper the night for us all. Mississippi State had a horrendous second quarter as they were outscored 25-12. Mississippi State would battle back to take several short leads before eventually falling, but it was the second quarter where the Lady Bulldogs lost this game.
Mississippi State also took too many hurried and bad shots on the night. Trip after trip down the floor with plenty of time to breakdown the defense, bad shot after shot was hurled through the air.
If Mississippi State would have continued to attack the Lady Bulls in the paint, I have no doubt the game would have been in Mississippi State’s favor. Mississippi State outscored South Florida 36-14 in the paint.
Mississippi State made 34 trips to the foul line and could only make 21, a percentage of 61%. If the Lady Bulldogs could have made five more free-throws, it is highly possible a win would have been celebrated instead of lamenting a loss.
Mississippi State finished the night shooting 33% from the field and a measly 15% from three-point range. Shooting performances like this are not a winning recipe.
Too Many Turnovers & Second Chance Points
Mississippi State turned the ball over 21 times and only forced 12. Normally when turnovers are not in your favor, that foretells the outcome of the game. South Florida’s defense was not particularly strong, but it was enough to fluster whoever had the ball into a bad pass.
South Florida also dominated Mississippi on the offensive glass 23-19. That edge may not be a huge one, but it is the difference between a win and a loss in a close game.
Those offensive rebounds also led to 25 second-chance points for the Lady Bulls. Mississippi State was only able to score 10 points on second-chance opportunities.
Foul Trouble and Thin Roster Impacted Defensive Effectiveness
Mississippi State also had several players in foul trouble. South Florida also had two players foul out, including Maria Alvarez. I was glad to see Alvarez foul out because she was South Florida’s most dangerous three-point shooter.
Jessika Carter was the only Lady Bulldog to foul out but, Rickea Jackson and JaMya Mingo-Young both had four. During the game, I could see Rickea mouth: “I cannot foul.
Foul trouble impacts a player’s defense so that the offensive player can take advantage and go on the attack. Another reason foul trouble is troublesome for Mississippi State is that the Bulldogs only have ten healthy players, and only nine played last night.
This is something to pay attention to as the season moves along. It would have been a bonus for Mississippi State if newly acquired transfer Ashley Jones could have been granted eligibility for the second half of the season.
.”