Bulldogs Tame Tigers in Annual Think Pink Game

Thursday, January 27

Starkville

5:30 p.m.

Mississippi State

12-7,3-4SEC

Missouri

15-6,4-4SEC

Missouri

Mississippi St.

Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics

Bulldogs Tame Tigers in Annual Think Pink Game

January 27, 2022 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Kelly Shipp, Assistant Director/Communications

Starkville – Behind a season-high 27-points from Caterrion Thompson and 14 made three's by the Bulldogs, Mississippi State earned an impressive 77-62 victory over Missouri in its annual Think Pink Game.

Thompson was a force to be reckoned with on Thursday, exploding for 27 points to lead MSU in scoring with seven three-pointers, also a season-high. Additionally, Thompson tied her season-high with three steals while adding an assist and a rebound. This is the fourth straight game that Thompson has scored in double figures and it's her fifth time in the last six games doing so.

Anastasia Hayes contributed across the board, scoring 24 points with five rebounds and five assists. Hayes would also make three 3-pointers and shoot a season-high 9-of-11 from the free throw line. Hayes continues her dominant play in SEC action, reaching double-digits in all six SEC games and eclipsing the 20-point mark four times.

Myah Taylor, who always plays great in the 'Think Pink Game,' continued that trend on Thursday. Taylor led the team with eight assists and six steals. With her eight assists against Missouri, Taylor moved into seventh place on Mississippi State's all-time career assist list with 393. She surpassed Polly Branch (391) and Laura Springer (392).

Denae Carter added eight points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal to the box score, while Aislynn Hayes had nine crucial points, all nine from behind-the-arc, with three rebounds. JerKaila Jordan added five points, Charlotte Kohl added a rebound, and Ashley Jones dished out one assist.

After Missouri jumped out to an early 5-2 advantage, Mississippi State got things going thanks in part to a pair of triples from Thompson, who hit four threes in the first quarter of the contest. After increasing their lead to 10 at the break, the Bulldogs blew the game open at the start of the third, scoring 11 of the first 13 points in the half and jumping out to a 19-point advantage, MSU's largest lead of the game.

State would lead the game for over 36 minutes, fighting off multiple Missouri comeback attempts, including an 8-0 run to open the fourth quarter that trimmed State's lead to just nine. As she had done all night, Thompson came up big with five straight points to end the Tiger's run. She would also score the first 10 points of the fourth for State before Anastasia sealed the game with four consecutive makes from the charity stripe.

Mississippi State would have its best game of the season from beyond the arc, sinking 14 triples on 52% shooting. The Bulldogs shot 51% from the field with 18 assists, 12 steals and 20 forced turnovers which the Mississippi State turned into 24 points.

Quoting Coach Novak
On the progress, Caterrion Thompson has made
"It's very rewarding as a coach, probably for fans too that have gotten to know her here at Mississippi State. While it was a fantastic game that she played, it's not that big of a surprise because of what she's been showing us in practice. She's had some big moments that maybe not everybody has understood how big they were whether it be a shot against Vanderbilt, a rebound here or there, but it has been a little bit more limited than what it was tonight. It just doesn't happen. It's not a fluke. It's not one of those imaginary nights. This was done weeks and months ago with her work ethic. It doesn't always work out this way, but I'm always internally rooting for that player, that kind of player. These are special moments in a coaching career to be able to witness and watch the way it's supposed to be done. The way you're supposed to work and then have her get the fruits of her labor."

Quoting Anastasia Hayes
On the approach to the game shorthanded
"Well, the mentality for this practice was, or the last few practices we've had, we've focused on defense and letting that create our offense. On our offense, just having and taking great shots - moving the ball, passing with each other, playing together. You may have a shot there, but you have one more that would make it a great shot."

Game Notes
• This is the first time this season that three Bulldogs have hit at least three triples in a single game: Thompson (7), Annie (3), Aislynn Hayes (3).
• Thompson seven made three's is the most by a Bulldog this season, surpassing JerKaila Jordan's six against Alcorn.
• Taylor has recorded six or more steals in four games this season.
• Anastasia Hayes set season-highs in both free throws made (9) and attempted (11).

Up Next
Mississippi State will be back inside the Humphrey Coliseum on Sunday when they host Texas A&M. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU women's basketball on Twitter, like them on Facebook, and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateWBK.

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