Mississippi State women’s basketball continues its brutal conference gauntlet Thursday evening, taking on No. 3 South Carolina in what will be the Bulldogs’ eighth ranked opponent in their last ten SEC games. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, with the game broadcast on SEC Network.
Game Information
#3 South Carolina Gamecocks (22-2, 8-1 SEC) vs Mississippi State Bulldogs (16-7, 3-6 SEC)
- Date: Thursday, February 5, 5:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Columbia, S.C. (Colonial Life Arena)
- Watch: SECN+
- Listen: MSU Radio Network – Starkville 96.1
Mississippi State Riding Momentum from Tennessee Upset
The Bulldogs enter Thursday’s matchup with renewed confidence after splitting their games last week, including a statement 77-52 victory over No. 15 Tennessee.
Freshman standout Madison Francis continues to emerge as a force in the SEC, earning Freshman of the Week honors after averaging 14.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals across the two games. Francis joined teammate Jaylah Lampley as the second Bulldog to claim the award this season, making them the only teammate duo in the SEC to both earn Freshman of the Week recognition.
Francis has been a defensive anchor for Mississippi State, recording 66 blocks this season—the ninth-most in a single season in program history.
Richardson, Crisp Provide Offensive Firepower
Senior Kharyssa Richardson has elevated her game in conference play, averaging 21 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals in last week’s two contests. She’s now scored 20 or more points in four games this season, all coming in SEC play—a remarkable turnaround for a player who had accomplished the feat just once prior to this year.
Trayanna Crisp has found her range from beyond the arc, knocking down a career-high six three-pointers during an 18-point performance against Missouri. Over her last five games, Crisp is averaging 3.2 three-pointers per contest while shooting 43.2 percent from deep.
The South Carolina Challenge
The Gamecocks present a formidable obstacle, entering Thursday’s game riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Texas A&M 71-56. South Carolina boasts a 22-2 overall record and remains undefeated at home this season at 12-0.
Joyce Edwards leads a balanced South Carolina attack with 20.3 points per game. Ta’Niya Latson (15.2), Tessa Johnson (14.1) and Madina Okot (13.4) all average double figures for the Gamecocks, while Okot controls the paint with 9.9 rebounds per game.
Historical Hurdle to Overcome
The series history heavily favors South Carolina, which leads the all-time matchup 28-19. The Gamecocks hold an even more commanding 14-6 advantage in games played in Columbia.
Mississippi State hasn’t defeated South Carolina since March 3, 2019, making Thursday’s contest not just another conference game, but an opportunity to end a nearly six-year drought against one of the SEC’s premier programs.
With momentum from their upset of Tennessee and individual players performing at career-best levels, the Bulldogs will look to defy the odds and pull off another signature victory in a hostile environment.
