Lady Eagles Fall to Mississippi State in Nonconference Road Test

Sunday, December 14

Starkville, Miss. / Humphrey Coliseum

2 p.m.

Southern Miss

7-4,0-0Sun Belt

Mississippi State

10-1,0-0SEC

Southern Miss.

Mississippi St.

Lady Eagles Fall to Mississippi State in Nonconference Road Test

12/14/2025 5:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Southern Miss opened the game with early momentum but trailed after the first quarter as Mississippi State capitalized on second-chance points and turnovers to force the 64-87 loss Sunday afternoon at Humphrey Coliseum.

The Lady Eagles struck first when Jakayla Johnson converted a pair of free throws on the fast break at the 8:31 mark to take a 2–0 lead. Mississippi State answered with a three-pointer and consecutive paint touches to move in front, 7–2. Hayleigh Breland provided an offensive spark midway through the quarter, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers at 6:10 and 5:52 to briefly put Southern Miss ahead, 8–7. The Bulldogs responded with a three of their own before closing the quarter on a 12–2 run. Mississippi State scored their final 11 points of the period on second-chance opportunities and points off turnovers, including multiple tip-ins in the paint, to carry a 21–10 lead into the second quarter.

Mississippi State extended its lead early in the second quarter, opening the period with a jumper before Breland answered on the other end with a basket in the paint. Breland continued to shoulder the offensive load, scoring on three of Southern Miss' first four field goals of the quarter, including a layup off a turnover at the 7:19 mark. Southern Miss trimmed the deficit behind contributions from Meloney Thames and Breland, but Mississippi State responded with second-chance points and transition baskets to push the lead to double figures. The Bulldogs built their advantage to as many as 18 points following a pair of three-pointers midway through the period. The Lady Eagles closed the half with a late surge, sparked by a three-pointer from Carly Keats and another from Morgan Sieper in the final minute. Johnson added a free throw on the fast break, but Mississippi State closed the quarter with a basket in the paint to take a 40–28 lead into halftime.

The Lady Eagles faced pressure that led to multiple turnovers in the second half, allowing the Bulldogs to convert in transition and on second-chance opportunities. Morgan Sieper and Carly Keats each connected from beyond the arc to stop the run, while Hayliegh Breland added a pair of threes late in the frame to spark a response. Despite the surge, Mississippi State continued to control the glass and tempo, sending Southern Miss into the final quarter trailing 68-42.

Sieper attacked early in the fourth quarter with back-to-back three-pointers, one coming in transition, to cut into the deficit. Sakyia White followed with a pair of free throws after an offensive rebound, while Breland converted a layup off a turnover as the Lady Eagles continued to attack. The Bulldogs responded with a series of paint finishes and trips to the free-throw line to extend the margin to 31 points midway through the quarter. Southern Miss continued to battle on the offensive glass, getting a second-chance basket from Timya Thurman and another fast-break layup from Breland with just over two minutes remaining. Sieper added her third three-pointer of the quarter at the 1:27 mark, and Carly Keats closed the Lady Eagles' scoring with a three in the final seconds as Southern Miss closed the game with a 64–87 final.

Breland finished the afternoon shooting 10-of-17 from the floor and added three assists. Sieper recorded 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including three makes from beyond the arc. White led the Lady Eagles with seven rebounds, while Thurman contributed four points and five rebounds.

The Lady Eagles prepare to open Sun Belt play against South Alabama on Dec. 18th at 5 p.m. in Reed Green Coliseum.