Back to web version
Women's pregame: USC at Mississippi State
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Miss.
TV: None
RADIO: WISW 1320-AM
RECORDS: USC 10-15, 2-10 SEC; Mississippi State 19-8, 6-6
COACHES: Dawn Staley (10-15 in first season at USC, 182-95 in nine seasons); Sharon Fanning (229-184 in 13 seasons at Mississippi St., 552-410 in 32 seasons)
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. The Bulldogs have plenty to play for in their final home game. Mississippi State is sixth in the SEC standings, and if they win their next two games, they are almost assured of an NCAA tournament bid. Also, four seniors will be honored.
2. South Carolina fell apart in the second half on Sunday against Florida and suffered its worst loss of the SEC campaign. Lakeisha Sutton continues to be the leading scorer but C.J. Pace only scored 11 points. For USC to stay close, Pace and Sutton have to do the bulk of the scoring.
3. The Gators hit 10 3-pointers against USC, and the Bulldogs come in with one of the best long range shooters in the conference in Alexis Rack. With the teams evenly matched on the inside, perimeter defense will be key.
KEY PLAYER: Alexis Rack, G, Mississippi St.
The Bulldogs senior hit six 3-pointers in Sunday’s loss to Tennessee and is the all-time MSU leader in 3-pointers made with 223. Rack is sixth in the conference in scoring and does not want her home career to end with a loss.
STARTING LINEUPS
GAMECOCKS
POS. HT. NAME PPG
| F | 5-10 | C.J. Pace | 7.5 |
| F | 6-1 | Jewel May | 4.6 |
| G | 5-10 | Courtney Newton | 3.3 |
| G | 5-9 | Lakeisha Sutton | 11.0 |
| G | 5-4 | Samone Kennedy | 5.3 |
POS. HT. NAME PPG
| F | 6-5 | Chanel Mokango | 10.6 |
| F | 5-11 | Robin Porter | 8.6 |
| G | 5-7 | Alexis Rack | 14.7 |
| G | 5-9 | Armelie Lumanu | 11.6 |
| G | 5-11 | Mary Kathryn Govero | 7.0 |
The strain of playing most of the past four games with nine healthy bodies could be catching up with USC. The Bulldogs are playing for postseason positioning and cannot risk losing at home to the Gamecocks.
— Chris Dearing