Mississippi State Upsets No. 15 Tennessee
In a significant upset on Thursday night, Mississippi State triumphed over No. 15 Tennessee with a score of 77-62 in Knoxville, marking a notable win for the Bulldogs in their challenging season. Kharyssa Richardson was the standout player, contributing 21 points, making an impressive 9 of 11 shots from the field, and scoring 16 of those points in the second half. Her performance was complemented by Trayanna Crisp, who scored 15 points alongside five rebounds and three steals.
Strong Contributions from Bulldogs
Madison Francis had a solid outing with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks, while Favour Nwaedozi added 11 points and secured 14 rebounds, highlighting the Bulldogs’ strong presence on the boards. Mississippi State, now with a record of 16-6 and 3-5 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), achieved its second victory this season against a ranked opponent, previously having lost to Tennessee 90-80 during their first encounter earlier in January.
Tennessee’s First Home Loss
On the other hand, the Volunteers faced their first home loss and conference defeat of the season, concluding a seven-game winning streak and becoming the last team to leave the SEC without a loss, with a record of 14-4 and 6-1 in conference play. A scheduled matchup against No. 17 Ole Miss on Monday had to be postponed due to inclement weather.
Game Highlights
The game was tightly contested until the final moments of the first half when both teams were tied at 26. However, Mississippi State ended the half strong with a 9-0 run, featuring two crucial 3-pointers from Crisp, and opened the second half with an 11-3 scoring burst, establishing a commanding 14-point lead by the 5:53 mark of the third quarter. The Bulldogs extended their advantage to as much as 20 points and maintained a lead that never dipped into single digits thereafter.
Tennessee’s Performance
Tennessee’s Talaysia Cooper was the leading scorer for her team with 19 points, backed by Mia Pauldo, who added 13 points and four steals, while Janiah Barker contributed 10 points and six rebounds.
Rebounding and Fast Breaks
Notably, Mississippi State boasted a 50-31 edge in rebounds, dominating the glass against Tennessee, who ranked 19th nationally in rebounds per game. The Bulldogs also capitalized on fast breaks, outscoring the Volunteers 35-11 in that category.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, Mississippi State will prepare to face Missouri at home on Sunday, while Tennessee’s next challenge is a road game against the No. 1 Connecticut Huskies, also scheduled for Sunday.
