BULLDOG BITS
Softball
After a strong performance during the Bulldog Kickoff Classic over opening weekend, Mississippi State softball (4-1) earned a spot in the first USA TODAY/NFCA Top 25 Coaches' Poll of the regular season.
The Bulldogs checked in at No. 25 in the publications latest rankings and was one of 11 Southeastern Conference squads to be ranked after the first week of the season. MSU is also receiving votes in the ESPN. com/usa Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll.
State picked up four wins over the Bulldog Kickoff Classic, highlighted by the debut of junior outfielder Fa Leilua in a Bulldog uniform. The Hawthorne, California, native tallied five hits, three of which were home run, and currently ranks fifth in the SEC in RBI with nine.
Junior pitcher Alyssa Loza dazzled in the circle over opening weekend. In her first start at MSU, Loza tossed just the third perfect game in school history as she blanked Valparaiso 10-0 behind four strikeouts.
Returning to the field after being sidelined last season with an injury, redshirt sophomore Montana Davidson led the Bulldogs over opening weekend in hits (seven), doubles (three) and batting average (.538). Her sister, sophomore Mia Davidson, slugged two home runs, including her first career grand slam, to bring her career total to 21 homers, which is good for eighth all-time in program history.
The Bulldogs return to action on Thursday as they travel across the border for the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. MSU opens the tournament with a 10 a.m. contest versus Southern Illinois before facing its first top 25 test of the season with a 6 p.m. contest against 2018 Women's College World Series runner-up No. 5 Washington.
State will also face Sacramento State and Central Florida over the three-day tournament.
Women's Basketball
Mississippi State's women's basketball team continues to climb in the national polls. After a 91-63 win against Tennessee, the Bulldogs are ranked fifth in the Associated Press Top 25 and USA Today Coaches' polls.
MSU remains the only Southeastern Conference team undefeated in conference play.
State has now been ranked in the AP poll for 89 straight weeks and has been a top-10 team in the poll for 53 consecutive weeks, the fourth-longest streak in the nation.
The Bulldogs are second in the nation in scoring offense (88.3) and rebounding margin (15). They are ranked fifth in field-goal percentage (49.9). MSU leads the SEC in scoring (88.3 points per game), assists (17.3 assists per game) and rebounding (40.6 rebounds per game).
Teaira Mccowan is ranked second in the NCAA with 13.7 rebounds per game and fourth in double-doubles (19). She leads the SEC in field goal percentage (66.2 percent) and blocks (2.7 blocks per game). Jazzmun Holmes tops the nation in assist/turnover ratio (4.58), and leads the SEC in free throw percentage (87.5 percent).
MSU will host Missouri on Thursday at 8 p.m. on SEC Network. The Bulldogs will then travel to College Station on Sunday to face No. 22/23 Texas A&M. State and the Aggies will tip off on SEC Network at 1 p.m.