Pearl 52, Meridian 12

For Starkville Daily News

CANCUN, Mexico – No. 3 Mississippi State shook off fatigue with some great defense to beat Green Bay 67-46 in women's basketball action Saturday at the Cancun Challenge.

The Bulldogs finished the three-day event at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya with a 3-0 record, while moving to 6-0 overall.

Victoria Vivians led four Bulldogs in double figures with 17 points. Roshunda Johnson added 14 points, while Blair Schaefer had 13 points and Morgan William had 10 points. Teaira McCowan barely missed her third doubledouble in the tournament with nine points and a teamhigh 13 rebounds.

William had five assists, while Johnson had three steals and McCowan had three blocks.

“Green Bay is really good,” MSU head coach Vic Schaefer said. “I thought the kids were special (Saturday). I am proud of the kids. We had a 6:50 a.m. scout on the outside court. The kids were attentive and they took it to the court.”

The Bulldogs started strong on the defensive end. A 12-0 run allowed the squad to grab a 14-3 lead. Green Bay was held to one field goal for better than 7 minutes to start the game.

A 3-pointer by Johnson capped the run. Vivians scored the final five points of the quarter as the Bulldogs led 17-6 after one quarter.

A 3-pointer and follow-up basket by Schaefer ran the lead to 20-6 with 9:08 left in the half. A layup by McCowan ran the lead to 18 at 31-13 with 2:21 left in the half.

“We knew what were capable of doing,” Vivians said. “We came out focused. We watched film last week and were prepared. When we share the basketball and get everybody involved, we are unstoppable.”

Green Bay pulled back within 12 in the early stages of the third quarter. A 12-0 MSU run pushed the lead to 49-24 late in the third quarter.

For the contest, State hit 22 of 57 shots from the field (38.6 percent), 10 of 23 shots from 3-point range (43.5 percent) and 13 of 19 shots from the foul line (68.4 percent). Green Bay hit 19 of 56 shots from the field (33.9 percent), 5 of 15 shots from 3-point range (33.3 percent) and 3 of 4 shots from the foul line (75 percent).

Through six contests this season, the Bulldogs have made double-digit shots behind the arc in three of those games, one less than last year's total of four.

Green Bay held a 40-33 rebounding advantage. MSU had 11 assists and nine turnovers, while the Phoenix had nine assists and 17 turnovers.

Green Bay (5-1) received 14 points from Jessica Lindstrom and seven rebounds from Frankie Wurtz. It was the lowest point total for the Phoenix since a 43-point outing against Rutgers on Nov. 28, 2015.

The Bulldogs shot the highest percentage from the field allowed by Green Bay this season and also collected the most points allowed through six games. The Phoenix tallied their lowest point total since Nov. 28, 2015.

MSU will play Louisiana at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson. On the eve of the game, the Central Chapter of the MSU Alumni Association will host a free event and team meet and greet at the Westin in Jackson beginning at 6 p.m. High School Football Postseason

MHSAA Playoffs Friday's Games (All games 7 p.m.)

Class 6A Starkville 27, Madison Central 24 Class 5A

West Point 39, Olive Branch 6 Hattiesburg 33, Laurel 22

Class 4A

Noxubee County 35, Louisville 28 East Central 52, Poplarville 45

Class 3A

Yazoo County 58, North Panola 26 Jefferson Davis County 26, Hazlehurst 16

Class 2A

Winona 22, Calhoun City 14 Taylorsville 48, Collins 32

Class A

Simmons 20, Okolona 14 Nanih Waiya 36, Resurrection 32

State Championships At Oxford Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

Friday, Dec. 1 Class A

Simmons vs. Nanih Waiya, 11 a.m.

Class 2A

Winona vs. Taylorsville, 3 p.m.

Class 6A Starkville vs. Pearl, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2 Class 3A

Yazoo County vs. Jeff Davis County, 11 a.m.

Class 4A

Noxubee County vs. East Central, 3 p.m.

Class 5A

West Point vs. Hattiesburg, 7 p.m.

College Football SEC Standings WESTERN DIVISION

Team…SEC...Overall Auburn…7-1…10-2* Alabama…7-1…11-1 LSU…6-2…9-3

Miss. State…4-4…8-4

Texas A&M…4-4…7-5 Ole Miss…3-5…6-6 Arkansas…1-7…4-8

EASTERN DIVISION

Team…SEC...Overall Georgia…7-1…11-1** S. Carolina…5-3…8-4 Kentucky…4-4…7-5 Missouri…4-4…7-5 Florida…3-5…4-7 Vanderbilt…1-7…5-7 Tennessee…0-8…4-8

* SEC Western Division champion ** SEC Eastern Division champion

Thursday, Nov. 23 Ole Miss 31, Miss. State 28

Friday, Nov. 24

Missouri 48, Arkansas 45

Saturday, Nov. 25

Auburn 26, Alabama 14 Georgia 38, Georgia Tech 7 Florida State 38, Florida 22 Louisville 44, Kentucky 17 Vanderbilt 42, Tennessee 24 Clemson 34, S. Carolina 10 LSU 45, Texas A&M 21

Saturday, Dec. 2 SEC Championship Game At Atlanta, Ga.

Georgia vs. Auburn, 3 p.m.

AP Top 25 Fared Saturday

No. 1 Alabama (11-1) lost to No. 6 Auburn 26-14. Next: TBD.

No. 2 Miami (10-1) lost to Pittsburgh 24-14, Friday. Next: vs. No. 4 Clemson, ACC championship, Saturday.

No. 3 Oklahoma (11-1) beat West Virginia 59-31. Next: vs. No. 10 TCU, Big 12 championship, Saturday. No. 4 Clemson (11-1) beat South Carolina 34-10. Next: vs. No. 2 Miami, ACC championship, Saturday.

No. 5 Wisconsin (12-0) beat Minnesota 31-0. Next: vs. No. 8 Ohio State, Big Ten championship, Saturday.

No. 6 Auburn (10-2) beat No. 1 Alabama 26-14. Next: vs. No. 7 Georgia, SEC championship, Saturday. No. 7 Georgia (11-1) beat Georgia Tech 38-7. Next: vs. No. 6 Auburn, SEC championship, Saturday.

No. 8 Ohio State (10-2) beat Michigan 31-20. Next: vs. No. 5 Wisconsin, Big Ten championship, Saturday.

No. 9 Notre Dame (9-2) at No. 20 Stanford. Next: TBD.

No. 10 TCU (9-2) beat Baylor 45-22, Friday. Next: vs. No. 3 Oklahoma, Big 12 championship, Saturday.

No. 11 Southern Cal (10-2) did not play. Next: vs. Stanford or Washington State, Pac-12 championship, Friday. No. 12 Penn State (10-2) beat Maryland 66-3. Next: TBD.

No. 13 UCF (11-0) beat No. 22 South Florida 49-42, Friday. Next: vs. No. 17 Memphis, AAC championship, Saturday. No. 14 Washington State (9-2) at No. 15 Washington. Next: TBD.

No. 15 Washington (9-2) vs. No. 14 Washington State. Next: TBD.

No. 16 Mississippi State (8-4) lost to Mississippi 31-28. Next: TBD.

No. 17 Memphis (10-1) beat East Carolina 70-13. Next: at No. 13 UFC, AAC championship, Saturday.

No. 18 Oklahoma State (9-3) beat Kansas 58-17. Next: TBD.

No. 19 LSU (9-3) beat Texas A&M 4521. Next: TBD.

No. 20 Stanford (8-3) vs. No. 9 Notre Dame. Next: TBD.

No. 21 Michigan State

Today

AUTO RACING 6:30 a.m.

NBCSN — Formula One, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

COLLEGE BASKETBALL 11 a.m.

ESPNU — Advocare Invitational, third-place game, St. John’s vs. UCF, at Orlando, Fla.

Noon

ESPN — PK80 Invitational, Motion bracket, third-place game, Texas vs. Gongaza, at Portland, Ore. ESPN2 — PK80 Invitational, Victory bracket, fifth-place game, Oklahoma vs. Oregon, at Portland, Ore.

1 p.m.

ESPNU — Advocare Invitational, fifth-place game, Long Beach St. vs. Nebraska, at Orlando, Fla.

2 p.m.

ESPN — PK80 Invitational, Victory bracket, third-place game, Arkansas vs. UConn, at Portland, Ore. ESPN2 — PK80 Invitational, Motion bracket, fifth-place game, Butler vs. Ohio St., at Portland, Ore.

3 p.m.

FS1 — UC Riverside at Michigan

4 p.m.

ESPNU — Wooden Legacy, thirdplace game, Saint Mary’s (Cal) vs. Georgia, at Fullerton, Calif. NBCSN — Temple at La Salle

5 p.m.

SEC — Ill.-Chicago at Kentucky

6 p.m.

ESPNU — PK80 Invitational, Victory bracket, seventh-place game, Portland vs. DePaul, at Portland, Ore.

7:30 p.m.

ESPN — PK80 Invitational, Victory bracket, championship game, North Carolina vs. Michigan St., at Portland, Ore.

8:30 p.m.

ESPN2 — Advocare Invitational, championship game, Missouri vs. West Virginia, at Orlando, Fla.

Rutgers 40-7. Next: TBD.

No. 22 South Florida (9-2) lost to No. 13 UCF 49-42, Friday. Next: TBD. No. 23 Northwestern (9-3) beat Illinois 42-7. Next: TBD.

No. 24 Virginia Tech (9-3) beat Virginia 10-0, Friday. Next: TBD.

No. 25 Boise State (9-3) lost to Fresno State 28-17. Next: at Fresno State, MWC championship, Saturday.

2017-18 Bowl Schedule

(Subject to Change) All Times EST

Dec. 16 — Celebration Bowl, MEAC vs. SWAC, Atlanta, Noon (ABC) Dec. 16 — New Orleans Bowl, Sun Belt vs. C-USA, 1 p.m. (ESPN)

Dec. 16 — Cure Bowl, AAC vs. Sun Belt, Orlando, Fla., 2:30 p.m. (CBSSN) Dec. 16 — Las Vegas Bowl, MWC vs. Pac-12, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)

Dec. 16 — New Mexico Bowl, C-USA vs. MWC, Albuquerque, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 16 — Camelia Bowl, MAC vs. Sun Belt, Montgomery, Ala., 8 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 19 — Boca Raton (Fla.) Bowl, AAC vs. C-USA, 7 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 20 — Frisco (Texas) Bowl, AAC vs. MAC, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Dec. 21 — Gasparilla Bowl, St. Petersburg, Fla., C-USA vs. AAC, 8 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 22 — Bahamas Bowl, Nassau, C-USA vs. MAC, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 22 — Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, MAC vs. MWC, Boise, 4 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 23 — Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl, AAC vs. SEC, Noon (ESPN)

Dec. 23 — Armed Forces Bowl, Army vs. C-USA, Fort Worth, Texas, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Dec. 23 — Dollar General Bowl, MAC vs. Sun Belt, Mobile, Ala., 7 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 24 — Hawaii Bowl, AAC vs. MWC, Honolulu, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 26 — Heart of Dallas Bowl, Big 12 vs. C-USA, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Dec. 26 — Quick Lane Bowl, ACC vs. Big Ten, Detroit, 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 26 — Cactus Bowl, Big 12 vs. Pac12, Phoenix, 9 p.m. (ESPN)

Dec. 27 — Independence Bowl, ACC vs. SEC, Shreveport, La., 1:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Dec. 27 — Pinstripe Bowl, ACC vs. Big Ten, Bronx, N.Y., 5:15 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 27 — Foster Farms Bowl, Pac-12 vs. Big Ten, 8:30 p.m. (FOX)

Dec. 27 — Texas Bowl, Big 12 vs. SEC, Houston, 9 p.m. (ESPN)

Dec. 28 — Military Bowl, ACC vs. AAC, Annapolis, Md., 1:30 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 28 — Camping World Bowl, ACC vs. Big 12, Orlando, Fla., 5:15 p.m. (ESPN)

Dec. 28 — Alamo Bowl, Big 12 vs. Pac12, San Antonio, 9 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 28 — Holiday Bowl, Big Ten vs. Pac-12, 9 p.m. (FOX)

Dec. 29 — Belk Bowl, ACC vs. SEC, Charlotte, N.C., 1 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 29 — Sun Bowl, ACC vs. Pac-12, El Paso, Texas, 3 p.m. (CBS)

Dec. 29 — Music City Bowl, SEC vs. Big Ten or ACC, Nashville, Tenn., 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Dec. 29 — Arizona Bowl, Sun Belt vs. MWC, Tucson, Ariz., 5:30 p.m. (CBSSN) Dec. 29 — Cotton Bowl Classic, Atlarge vs. At-large, Arlington, Texas, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Dec. 30 — TaxSlayer Bowl, SEC vs. Big Ten or ACC, Jacksonville, Fla., Noon (ESPN)

Dec. 30 — Liberty Bowl, Big 12 vs. SEC, Memphis, Tenn., 12:30 p.m. (ABC) Dec. 30 — Fiesta Bowl, At-large vs. Atlarge, Glendale, Ariz., 4 p.m. (ESPN) Dec. 30 — Orange Bowl, ACC vs. Big Ten, SEC or Notre Dame, Miami Gardens, Fla., 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Jan. 1 — Outback Bowl, Big Ten vs. SEC, Tampa, Fla., Noon (ESPN2) Jan. 1 — Peach Bowl, At-large vs. AtLarge, Atlanta, 12:30 p.m. (ESPN) Jan. 1 — Citrus Bowl, SEC vs. ACC, Orlando, Fla., 1 p.m. (ABC) ESPNU — PK80 Invitational, Motion bracket, seventh-place game, Portland St. vs. Stanford, at Portland, Ore.

9:30 p.m.

ESPN — PK80 Invitational, Motion bracket, championship game, Duke vs. Florida, at Portland, Ore.

11 p.m.

ESPN2 — Wooden Legacy, championship game, Washington St. vs. San Diego St., at Fullerton, Calif.

CFL FOOTBALL 5 p.m.

ESPN2 — Grey Cup, Toronto vs. Calgary, at Ottawa, Ontario

FIGURE SKATING 3 p.m.

NBC — ISU Grand Prix Series, Skate America, Ladies’ Free Skate, at Lake Placid, N.Y.

NFL FOOTBALL Noon

CBS — Regional coverage FOX — Regional coverage

3 p.m.

FOX — Regional coverage

3:25 p.m.

CBS — Regional coverage

7:20 p.m.

NBC — Green Bay at Pittsburgh

SOCCER 8 a.m.

CNBC — Premier League, Burnley vs. Arsenal

8:30 a.m.

FS1 — Bundesliga, Hamburg vs. Hoffenheim

10 a.m.

NBCSN — Premier League, Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester City

11 a.m.

FS1 — Bundesliga, Koln vs. Hertha Berlin

RUGBY 1 p.m.

NBCSN — English Premiership, Saracens vs. Exeter (same-day tape)

SKIING Noon

NBC — FIS World Cup, Alpine Skiing, Women’s Slalom (second run), at Killington, Vt.