STARKVILLE — Dominique Dillingham could sense the anticipation in the crowd at Humphrey Coliseum.
With the No. 5 Mississippi State women’s basketball team one point away from hitting 100, Dillingham took a pass from Jazzmun Holmes on the right wing and was open to take a 3-pointer that could have helped MSU hit triple digits.
But Dillingham didn’t become one of the most popular Bulldogs by currying favor with the team’s fans. Instead, she has used an indefatigable work ethic and a willingness to sacrifice herself and her body for the good of the team. That’s why she wasn’t interested in rushing a shot or rushing herself to do anything she didn’t think she was ready to do, so she passed the ball. Seconds later, Holmes hit a 3-pointer off an assist from Jacaira “Iggy” Allen to help MSU hit triple figures en route to a 106-30 victory against Northwestern State before a crowd of 6,352 at the Hump.
Victoria Vivians paced MSU (14-0) with a game-high 22 points, while Breanna Richardson added a career-high 21 points to lead five players in double figures on a night the Bulldogs recorded the second-largest margin of victory in program history.
On a night when the 11 healthy Bulldogs combined to set or to match 13 career highs, it was fitting Dillingham rebounded the final shot and had the ball in her hands when the final horn sounded in her first action after missing six games following knee surgery.
“It was frustrating because I do want to play,” Dillingham said. “It was a long process, but I think it is paying off. I just want to be 100 percent for SEC play.”
Dillingham said she had surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in her knee. Dillingham credited Mary McLendon, MSU’s director of sports medicine, and her student trainers for helping to push her to get back following the surgery. She acknowledged she needs time to work back into shape, but she said she is sure she will be able to do it. That is something all of the MSU fans will welcome with open arms. That was evident when Dillingham entered the game with 7 minutes, 55 seconds to go in the second quarter to the loudest cheer of the evening to that point.
“It was special,” Dillingham said. “The fans make me feel very special. I am very appreciative of them.”
Dillingham was 1 of 6 from the field and had three points in 19 minutes. She added four rebounds, two assists, and a blocked shot and offered a generous helping of the gritty play fans have come to love from her in the past three seasons.
“I felt good,” Dillingham said. “I didn’t make all of my shots, but I felt good being out there. It will come.”
Sixty-five seconds later, Dillingham was on the floor wrestling for control of a loose ball after moving over to help to shut down a drive of Libba Gilliam on the left wing. The held ball gave possession back to Northwestern State (6-5).
That wasn’t the only play that epitomized the energy and hustle Dillingham brings to the court. With 1:56 left in the second quarter, Dillingham raced from the right side of the court and weaved through players in the lane to track down a loose-ball rebound in the right corner.
Dillingham returned to the game with 2:19 to go in the third quarter. A 3-pointer with 6:28 remaining accounted for her points. She didn’t stop there. With 2:51 left, Dillingham slid into the middle of the lane and was ready to take a charge, but Northwestern State turned the ball over. Dillingham did the same thing with 47 seconds to go, but teammate Ameshya Williams was called for a foul in the lane.
“It is natural wanting to be on the floor, diving for loose balls,” Dillingham said. “That part is easy. The hard part is getting back in my groove offensively.”
MSU coach Vic Schaefer said the Bulldogs have missed Dillingham’s defensive awareness and ability to help her teammates. He said he was pleased Dillingham was able to play as much as she did, but he wasn’t sure if that would have been possible if Roshunda Johnson had played.
Johnson, who was wearing a boot on her left foot, missed the game after tweaking her left leg in practice Tuesday. Schaefer said he expects Johnson to be able to play at 2 p.m. Sunday when MSU opens Southeastern Conference play against LSU at Humphrey Coliseum. SEC Network will broadcast the game live.
With Dillingham back, MSU can go 12 or 13 deep when everyone is healthy. Schaefer said it will be tough on him to find minutes for everyone, especially since the team’s chemistry has been so good in the second-best start to a season in program history. He feels the skills and traits Dillingham brings to the court will make it hard for him to keep her off the court.
“You see what she provides out there defensively from a help standpoint,” Schaefer said. “She was in the right place on help numerous times when she was out there, something we miss when she is not out there.”
True to form, Dillingham said she thought she missed taking a couple of charges. There is no doubt Dillingham will push herself to make sure she is in position the next time a teammate needs her help on defense. She said she also will get back into the gym as much as possible to polish her shooting tough and to get her wind back. She doesn’t anticipate any problems working back into the rotation.
“I have played with everybody for so long,” said Dillingham, who said she feels close to 100 percent. “I think it will be fine. We work every day in practice, so I am not really worried about it.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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