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Mississippi State women’s basketball won the opening tipoff and crossed over half-court for an offensive possession. Just seconds later, center Madina Okot was whistled for an illegal screen that turned the ball over.
That was the start of an avalanche the Bulldogs could never stop Monday night against top-seeded Southern Cal in the NCAA tournament second-round game. They conceded the first 11 points, trailed by 20 after the first quarter and by as many as 46 in the second half. The No. 9 seed Bulldogs (22-12) were ousted 96-59 by the Trojans (30-3) in Los Angeles.
The loss goes down as the most lopsided of third-year coach Sam Purcell’s tenure.
“We got to keep it real,” he said. “We got our butt kicked by a really good team.”
But despite the one-sided game that also saw USC star JuJu Watkins suffer a season-ending injury in the first quarter, Purcell believes the arrow is still pointing up for MSU.
“Tonight was not our night,” he said. “USC deserves all the flowers. They were unbelievable, and they were the better team. But we can't let one night like tonight derail, to your point, what a great year that we had to get this program back.”
The Bulldogs made March Madness in Purcell’s first season in 2023 and won games in the First Four and first round. They narrowly missed the tournament last season, and turbulence ensued.
Four of Purcell’s assistant coaches left, two to be head coaches elsewhere.
Leading scorer Jerkaila Jordan returned, but three starters departed, including Jessika Carter, the No. 23 pick in the WNBA draft. Only three who played minutes last season came back.
But Mississippi State returned to the NCAA tournament and won a 12th consecutive first-round game. Purcell is the winningest head coach in program history through his first three seasons with a 67-35 record.
“Now it's maintaining that energy and only building off of it,” Purcell said. “And then, obviously in women's basketball, our goal is to get to this point where we win enough games now and take this to the next level where you're hosting in the first and second round and try to avoid a situation like this.”
MORE: Ole Miss women's basketball vs UCLA prediction, pick for 2025 NCAA tournament Sweet 16
Monday's loss means Jordan has played her final game in a Mississippi State uniform. The guard played four seasons with the Bulldogs after transferring from Tulane and is the last player remaining from the previous coaching staff.
Purcell was emotional after the game when reflecting on Jordan's career.
"The first year we make the NCAA tournament and just like today's society, the portal is crazy," he said. "She didn't leave me. Everybody wanted her. She was a top SEC player. She was like, 'I believe in you and the vision.' "
Jordan is in the top 10 of numerous MSU career records:
“I feel like if I had a checklist, I checked everything off the list of my college career.” Jordan said. “I give all things to this man (Purcell). I played in soldout crowds, and I played against the best of the best.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State women's basketball: Sam Purcell sees progress despite USC loss
Continue reading...
That was the start of an avalanche the Bulldogs could never stop Monday night against top-seeded Southern Cal in the NCAA tournament second-round game. They conceded the first 11 points, trailed by 20 after the first quarter and by as many as 46 in the second half. The No. 9 seed Bulldogs (22-12) were ousted 96-59 by the Trojans (30-3) in Los Angeles.
The loss goes down as the most lopsided of third-year coach Sam Purcell’s tenure.
“We got to keep it real,” he said. “We got our butt kicked by a really good team.”
But despite the one-sided game that also saw USC star JuJu Watkins suffer a season-ending injury in the first quarter, Purcell believes the arrow is still pointing up for MSU.
“Tonight was not our night,” he said. “USC deserves all the flowers. They were unbelievable, and they were the better team. But we can't let one night like tonight derail, to your point, what a great year that we had to get this program back.”
The Bulldogs made March Madness in Purcell’s first season in 2023 and won games in the First Four and first round. They narrowly missed the tournament last season, and turbulence ensued.
Four of Purcell’s assistant coaches left, two to be head coaches elsewhere.
Leading scorer Jerkaila Jordan returned, but three starters departed, including Jessika Carter, the No. 23 pick in the WNBA draft. Only three who played minutes last season came back.
But Mississippi State returned to the NCAA tournament and won a 12th consecutive first-round game. Purcell is the winningest head coach in program history through his first three seasons with a 67-35 record.
“Now it's maintaining that energy and only building off of it,” Purcell said. “And then, obviously in women's basketball, our goal is to get to this point where we win enough games now and take this to the next level where you're hosting in the first and second round and try to avoid a situation like this.”
MORE: Ole Miss women's basketball vs UCLA prediction, pick for 2025 NCAA tournament Sweet 16
Jerkaila Jordan plays final Mississippi State game
Monday's loss means Jordan has played her final game in a Mississippi State uniform. The guard played four seasons with the Bulldogs after transferring from Tulane and is the last player remaining from the previous coaching staff.
Purcell was emotional after the game when reflecting on Jordan's career.
"The first year we make the NCAA tournament and just like today's society, the portal is crazy," he said. "She didn't leave me. Everybody wanted her. She was a top SEC player. She was like, 'I believe in you and the vision.' "
Jordan is in the top 10 of numerous MSU career records:
- Points scored: fifth (1,895)
- 3-pointers: sixth (501)
- Steals: second (273)
- Blocks: seventh (95)
“I feel like if I had a checklist, I checked everything off the list of my college career.” Jordan said. “I give all things to this man (Purcell). I played in soldout crowds, and I played against the best of the best.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State women's basketball: Sam Purcell sees progress despite USC loss
Continue reading...
