JACKSON — Mississippi State women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer really enjoyed Wednesday night.
There were a lot of numbers that made post-game box score notations last longer than usual.
Behind a 31-point, 20-rebound night from Teaira McCowan, No. 6 MSU routed Louisiana 94-37 before a crowd of 3,578 at Mississippi Coliseum.
After circling most of the box score, the attendance number at the bottom of the box score caught the most attention.
“What a great night for basketball,” Schaefer said. “We had a wonderful crowd. That is what this is all about. These young people will go home tonight and then they play with the Nerf basketball, they will imitate our players. To see the young people line up for the autographs, for the photos. It’s special. That is why we are in this business. This is what it is all about.”
MSU improved to 7-0 for the fourth time in five years. The Bulldogs won their 29th-straight regular-season game against a non-conference opponent in a matchup that was never in doubt.
It was a homecoming of sorts of senior Victoria Vivians, who played in the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) state championship while an All-State player at Scott Central High School. This was her first appearance at Mississippi Coliseum as a collegiate player.
“I never thought this day would come,” Vivians said. “Coach said each year we were going to play down here for a game and things kept coming up, so I had just about given up. I am glad we were able to do it tonight. This was fun.”
Vivians admitted she also had fun watching McCowan. It was the first time the Bulldogs had a player with 20 or more points and 20 or more rebounds in a game since Martha Alwal (25 points, 23 rebounds) against Ole Miss in 2014.
MSU records went back to 1988 without finding a performance to match McCowan’s.
“We expect that from her every night,” Vivians said as she sent a glare to her teammate, who responded with a shaking of the head.
McCowan was 15-for-29 from the field. Twelve of her 20 rebounds came on the defensive end. The junior center also added four blocked shots and three steals in 26 minutes.
Schaefer said McCowan was the most “locked in” player on the team. He said the key is to keep her engaged in the game.
“There is no player readier to start a game than (McCowan),” Vic Schaefer said. “She is always focused on the game. It is about consistency. When she goes hard from start to finish, this is what she is capable of doing.”
McCowan backed up her coach’s sentiments.
“This is something I am capable of doing on a regular basis,” McCowan said. “The coaches have been really been challenging me to finish shots better. I am going to get a lot of chances in the lane. They have been on me about finishing plays, going hard at all times, making sure each possession counts.”
The Bulldogs shot 47.8 percent from the field in the first quarter and scored the final nine points of the quarter to take a 30-8 lead. That margin grew to a 56-23 at halftime.
Overall, the Bulldogs shot 44.2 percent from the field and outrebounded the smaller Ragin’ Cajuns, 59-34.
“There are just a whole lot of numbers on that box score to be proud about,” Schaefer said. “A lot of numbers that lead to winning basketball. I am happy we were able to come here and play in this environment and put on a good show.”
Vivians had 16 points and six rebounds. Blair Schaefer and Chloe Bibby had 13 points. Jazzmun Holmes had 10 points and eight assists.
Starting point guard Morgan William only played 15 minutes after suffering bruised ribs in a collision with a Louisiana player in the second quarter. After the game, she said she was sore but fine.
While the offensive numbers stood out, Vic Schaefer’s favorite number came at the bottom of the box score. The MSU women played in Jackson for the first time since 2006, and the second time ever.
The autograph line was still full of young kids and parents more than an hour after the game.
“You want to make an impact,” Schaefer said. “The game was fun and it was a win, but we made an impact. To see the smiles on these young person’s faces, that’s special. You will always remember that. This was a good day for the Bulldogs. I am glad we were able to share our program.”
n NOTES: Prior to the game, Vivians, William, and McCowan were named to the Citizen Naismith Player of the Year Trophy watch list. Later Wednesday, Vivians and William were named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s 25-player watch list for the Wade Trophy, the oldest national player of the year award in college women’s basketball. MSU is one of four programs with two or more players on the Wade Trophy watch list. Its three selections to the Naismith Trophy watch list is tied for third-most of the teams represented. … MSU will play host to Oklahoma State at 1 p.m. Sunday (SEC Network) in the Big 12/SEC Challenge at Humphrey Coliseum.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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