Lady Bulldogs Return to Postseason After Strong Start to 2007-2008 Campaign

STARKVILLE, Miss. - After a successful 2006-2007 campaign that saw Mississippi State in postseason play, expectations were high for a squad that returned all five starters and letterwinners from the previous season. Imesia Jackson returned as the lone senior starter for a team that also featured two juniors and two sophomores in the starting lineup. Combined with an experienced bench and young, raw talent, and MState had a recipe for success.

The 2007-2008 version of the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs tipped off their latest campaign in the win column. Sharon Fanning’s crew stormed out of the gate to a 4-0 record, the best start to a season for a Lady Bulldogs’ team since 1999-2000. Production from different sources is a key in basketball and early on in the season, the Lady Bulldogs received it.

During their four game winning streak to begin the season, MSU had at least three players score in double figures and saw at least seven Lady Bulldog’s contribute with points. Sophomore Alexis Rack paced the offensive attack as she averaged over 13 points a game through the early stages of the campaign.

Mary Kathryn Govero also provided a big spark off the bench for Sharon Fanning. The freshman forward from Mt. Salus Christian School in Clinton pitched in over seven points a game to get the Lady Bulldogs off to a quick start.

In the early stages of the season, the success continued for the young bunch of Bulldogs. After a brief setback in Cancun, Mexico, the Lady Bulldogs were back to their winning ways with another four game winning streak, including victories over in-state rival Southern Mississippi and historical power Louisiana Tech. During that four game span, MSU’s average margin of victory was more than 24 points. The Lady Bulldog was once again paced by Rack, but also, Tysheka Grimes began to establish herself as a scoring threat.

The sophomore forward from Baton Rouge, La., scored in double figures in three of the four games as the Lady Bulldogs stormed out to an 8-2 record. The MState defense also played a huge role in the team’s best start since the 2002-2003 season. During the span, opponents shot 32 percent from the field and all four of MSU’s opponents were held to 57 points or less.

From there, Fanning’s crew did not look back as her team started their third four-game winning streak of the season after a loss to Georgia Tech. This streak though, proved to be one of the most impressive thanks to four double digit victories, two of them by at least 40 points. The Lady Bulldogs’ depth was shown with at least eight players scored points in every game and three times MSU had 11 or more players contribute with points.

In the 2008 home opener, MState put together one of the more notable performances in program history. On January 7th, MSU defeated in-state foe Mississippi Valley State by 59 points, 104-45. During the game, MSU shot 64.9 percent, a new team record. Fourteen of the 15 players on the roster scored, including a game-high 20 points from Rack. This game marked the first time since the 2000-2001 season the Lady Bulldogs hit the century mark. The 59-point margin of victory tied for the fifth-highest in school history.

Three Lady Bulldogs reached milestones during the non-conference slate as Richard, Jackson and Rack eclipsed the 500-point mark in their careers. The trio joined junior Robin Porter as the only Lady Bulldogs to have reached the milestone. After the non-conference season, MSU stood at a 12-3 record as they prepared for the always tough Southeastern Conference portion of their schedule.

The conference slate got off to a rough start for the Lady Bulldogs, but quickly found their way back to the win column after a five point win over archrival Ole Miss. The MState defense smothered the Lady Rebels as Ole Miss shot only 26.3 percent for the game. Richard paced the MSU offense with 14 points to improve Fanning’s record to 22-14 over the primary rival.

From there, the Lady Bulldogs did not have to wait long to notch their next SEC victory. Four Lady Bulldogs scored in double figures as Mississippi State beat Alabama by 13. With six assists in the game, junior guard Richard moved into the career top 10 list for assists.

After a tough road loss to Auburn, the Lady Bulldogs had one of their most memorable games of the season against eventual national champion, Tennessee. In a game that featured several runs, MSU led the perennial power by seven at the break, one of the few times during the season the Lady Volunteers trailed at the half.

Rack was a force to be reckoned with throughout as she sank seven from behind the arc to finish with a career-high 32 points, the first Lady Bulldog to score more than 30 since Jackson during the 2006-2007 season.

Unfortunately MState was not able to hang on as the Lady Vols proved too tough, but it gave MSU much needed confidence after conference play proved to be a rocky road.

In the very next contest, the Lady Bulldogs continued the momentum from the Tennessee game. On "Think Pink" Sunday, MSU hosted Florida and soon the Gators were seeing stars after the Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a 20-0 lead. Grimes was one of the stars for Sharon Fanning as she recorded her fifth double-double and the MState rolled to an 83-71 victory. The 20-0 MSU run against Florida coupled with a 21-0 run in the Tennessee game, marked the first time in school history MSU posted back-to-back 20+ point scoring runs in conference games.

After a tough loss to Ole Miss, MSU then played host to traditional conference power Georgia, and once again, the Lady Bulldogs proved tough for its visitors. Richard paced the MState offense with 15 points but the Lady Bulldogs from Athens snuck out of Starkville with a slim four point victory at 60-56.

Columbia, S.C. was the next stop on the map for Mississippi State as the played the Gamecocks of South Carolina. Defense once again played a big part of MSU has they forced 24 South Carolina turnovers. On offense, Richard scored in double figures for the third straight game, as the Lady Bulldogs secured their first conference road victory of the year with a 58-54 victory.

The final two regular season SEC games were a daunting task for the Lady Bulldogs as they faced off against two 2007 NCAA Final Four teams, and eventual 2008 NCAA Final Four teams, Tennessee and LSU. After a tough loss in Tennessee’s Thompson Boiling Arena, the Lady Bulldogs played host to the Lady Tigers on Senior Day. Rack and Donnisha Tate lead the team with 11 points as Fanning’s bunch gave LSU all they could handle before dropping a tough decision to close out the regular season and clinching the ninth seed in the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament after a 4-10 record in the conference.

Prior to the SEC Tournament, the conference office announced its annual awards winners. Govero was selected to the All-Freshman team, as voted on by the league’s coaches. Junior Lauren Roberts was named to the SEC Community Service team for the first time in her career.

In the Lady Bulldogs’ first round match up, MSU was pitted against familiar foe Ole Miss. Both teams split the regular season series and MState was looking to win the rubber match. Grimes recorded her sixth double-double of the season in the contest but unfortunately it wasn’t enough as the Mississippi State fell by five to drop them to 16-14 on the season. While it was a disappointing loss, Fanning and her team still found themselves in postseason play after an invite to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament, the tournament in which the Lady Bulldogs advanced to the third round last season.

The Lady Bulldogs received a first round bye in the tournament and ended up traveling to Hattiesburg to play Southern Mississippi, who beat Arkansas-Little Rock in their opening game. In what ended up being her final game in a Mississippi State uniform, Jackson scored 11 points and brought down eight rebounds for the Lady Bulldogs who lost 66-65 on a three-pointer in the waning seconds of the game by Southern Mississippi.

Not only did MState succeed on the floor, but the Lady Bulldogs got it done in the classroom as well. Richard was named to the ESPN the Magazine Women’s Basketball Academic All-District Second Team. The Lamar, Miss.-native posted a 3.66 in civil engineering. Richard earned the Robert H. Wood Civil Engineering Scholarship and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She has been named to the Dean’s List every semester at MSU and has been named to the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

When the SEC announced its Winter Academic Honor Roll, MState sent a program and league-best eight Lady Bulldogs to the team. Senior Amy Reeder and juniors Porter, Richard and Roberts earned the honor for the third consecutive year. Senior Miayorka Johnson and sophomore Bethany Washington were named to the team for the second straight year, while senior Jackson and sophomore Carrie Landers were named for the first time.

Six MSU Lady Bulldog basketball players and one generous supporter were honored at the annual awards banquet in April. Richard was honored with the Free Throw Percentage Award, Most Assists Award, Best Defensive Player Award and the Big Dawg Award. Roberts was given the Community Service award.

Jackson picked up the Field Goal Percentage Award and Deflections and Charges Award, shooting 45.4 percent from the field, while taking a team-high 20 charges. Meanwhile, Govero was honored by receiving the Coaches Award. Grimes took the Best Rebounder Award. Tate was honored as the Most Improved Player.

Mrs. Mary Evelyn Maxwell of Tupelo was honored with the Sixth Player Award, presented annually to those who go above and beyond. The Maxwell family has supported MSU Athletics for more than three decades.