MSU drops heartbreaking home decision to Missouri
It was 718 days.
That’s how long Mississippi State had protected home court in women’s basketball. Humphrey Coliseum has become one of the most intimidating of home court environments in the sport and the Bulldogs hadn’t lost there in nearly two full seasons.
That was until Thursday night. It was a game that resembled that last loss on senior night in 2017 against Tennessee. Against a resilient Missouri squad, MSU finally met its match again and dropped a 75-67 game to the Tigers.
It came just days after the Bulldogs had been ranked No. 5 nationally after weeks of working their way back into the top five. The loss ended a 32-game winning streak at home and 27-game winning streak in the regular season in Southeastern Conference play.
“I’m really disappointed as the head coach of Mississippi State, but I’m really happy for Missouri,” MSU head coach Vic Schaefer said. “That’s my kind of bunch – a really, tough, physical team. Congrats to them. We got out-toughed and out-hustled just about every loose ball. It was just one of those nights.”
Missouri (19-7, 8-4 SEC) shot lights out in the game as it hit 27of-49 (55 percent) and was 11of-26 (42 percent) from 3-point range. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were ice cold from inside the arc as they shot 23-of-58 (40 percent) but were 15-of-42 from inside the 3-point line.
It didn’t help State that guard play struggled. Jordan Danberry and Jazzmun Holmes have been MSU’S most consistent players on both ends of the floor all season but combined for nine points on 4-of-15 shooting and 10 turnovers.
“I think it was just the focus piece for us,” Schaefer said. “We weren’t focused coming out and that will be the focus for us