Mississippi State women’s basketball loses ACC/SEC Challenge vs Miami
STARKVILLE — Two years ago, Mississippi State women’s basketball concluded one of the strangest seasons in program history. With the late Nikki McCray-Penson stepping away as coach due to personal reasons just before the season’s start, Doug Novak – who had been hired a month prior as an assistant – took over in the interim.
Between injuries and players leaving, the program was left with seven active players as MSU tried to make a postseason run. A glimpse of that season returned to Humphrey Coliseum on Wednesday night as No. 21 Mississippi State had just seven players available in a 74-68 loss against Miami as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge.
The Bulldogs (8-1) had a strong start, leading by as much as nine in the first quarter. However, as Miami (6-0) continued to play fast in hopes of exhausting MSU, the Hurricanes regained momentum.
Behind 12 made 3-pointers, MSU had chances to energize the home crowd for a late run. Ultimately, Miami’s 49 rebounds and 11 3-pointers proved too much to overcome. Despite forcing 19 turnovers, MSU couldn’t stay undefeated.
Mississippi State short-handed vs Miami
MSU’s frontcourt depth was tested against the Hurricanes with four forwards unavailable. Ramani Parker has been out since a season-ending knee injury suffered in a Nov. 10 win against Southeastern Louisiana.
Graduate Jessika Carter (injury), graduate Erynn Barnum (injury) and freshman Quanirah Montague (illness) added to the list of unavailable players, limiting Mississippi State to seven available players.
“I couldn’t be more proud of them in a night where we’re just a couple points short there in the fourth quarter. Ran out of gas, but man, they competed. I’m proud of this group. It’s as simple as this, we’ve got to get healthy.”
The biggest increase in role belonged to forward Nyayongah Gony who started in Carter’s absence. Gony entered the contest averaging 1.9 points in 12.1 minutes per game. She finished with seven points and 10 rebounds in a career-high 39 minutes.
Gony made he presence on defense felt early with two blocks on Miami’s opening possession. She entered the contest with four blocks in 16 games played at MSU since last season.
“Fearless. Just awesome,” Purcell said of Gony. “Just a great kid who I named this offseason my dog because she works so hard. She earned it. For her to get her number called tonight and just leave it all on the floor, I’m just so proud of her effort tonight.”
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What’s next on MSU’s schedule?
Mississippi State plays at Chattanooga on Sunday (3 p.m., ESPN+) before final exams week. MSU returns to Humphrey Coliseum on Nov. 11 (6:30 p.m., SEC Network+) for a matchup with Kennesaw State.
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.
