The South Carolina women's basketball team couldn't keep its momentum from last season as No. 2 Mississippi State got its revenge Monday night in a 67-53 win in Starkville, Mississippi.
The Gamecocks jumped out to a quick start, taking a 20-10 lead after 10 minutes of play and looked to have rebounded from Thursday's loss to No. 1 UConn. But for the second-straight game, South Carolina struggled in the second quarter, as Mississippi State outscored them 19-8 and took a one-point lead into halftime. The Bulldogs shot 25 percent in the first quarter, but in the second it was the Gamecocks' turn as they shot 25 percent.
South Carolina took back some control and led 44-39 at the end of the third quarter, but Mississippi State rallied in the final frame. It took the Gamecocks more than five minutes to score in the fourth quarter, and the Bulldogs took advantage of that by going on a 13-0 run. The Gamecocks played sloppily at the end with missed shots and both Bianca Jackson and Ty Harris fouling out, which would seal the win for the Bulldogs.
The Gamecocks got to play with a fully healthy team for the first time in over a month, which played in their favor with the 23 team fouls the team picked up. South Carolina hopes that having the full team back will help the team gain some momentum as they enter the final month of the regular season.
After last week's loss against UConn, A'ja Wilson took credit for it and knew she needed to play better. She did so against the Bulldogs, scoring 18 in the first half. She ended the night with another double-double, leading the team with 25 points and 14 rebounds.
The win for Mississippi State continues its undefeated season and almost seals the SEC regular season title for the Bulldogs. South Carolina will try to end this losing streak as the team heads to Alabama to play the Crimson Tide on Thursday.