A 24-9 run over the final 10 minutes of the first half was all Mississippi State needed to break things open, as the Lady Bulldogs handed the ETSU women’s basketball team its first loss of the season 80-50 on Sunday afternoon inside Humphrey Coliseum at Starkville, Miss.The Lady Bucs were led by Siarre Evans, who posted her 34th career double-double, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Evans’ 12 rebounds also moved her past Jackie Phillips (1979-82) for sixth on ETSU’s all-time rebounding list.

With the loss, ETSU dropped to 1-1, while Mississippi State – who is receiving votes in both major polls – improved to 2-0 on the young season.

Mississippi State jumped out to a quick 6-0 run to start the game. Unfortunately, for the Lady Bucs, they wouldn’t inch any closer as Mississippi State closed out the half on a 24-9 run, and went into the locker room with a 21-point advantage, 43-22.

After hitting 18 field goals (nine 3-pointers) in the first half against Chattanooga on Friday night, the Lady Bucs were limited to only eight on 31 attempts; while only connecting on one of their six 3-point attempts. The Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile, shot 47.1 percent (16-34) in the opening 20 minutes, and forced ETSU into 11 turnovers – which turned into 14 points on the offensive end. Mississippi State also out-rebounded ETSU, 26-18, and the Lady Bulldogs used 11 offensive rebounds to their benefit resulting in 12 second-chance points.

The Lady Bucs came out with a little momentum to start second half, as ETSU lowered its 21-point halftime deficit to 16, 45-29, when Evans sank a jumper with 17:06 left in the contest.

The wind was taken out of the Lady Buccaneer sails after the short scoring spurt, with Mississippi State recording an 11-2 run to see its lead grow to 56-31 at the 12:44 mark. Eventually the Lady Bulldogs saw their margin balloon to 32 (80-48) when Channa Campbell drained a 3-pointer with one minute remaining in the game.

For the game, ETSU shot 29.2 percent from the floor (19-65), while being held to only two 3-point field goals. Mississippi State finished with a 43.8 shooting percentage (32-73), and the Lady Bulldogs held a plus-10 advantage on the boards (51 to 41).

Mississippi State had three players score in double figures, as Alexis Rack led the way with 14 points.

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