Mississippi State Upsets No. 15 Tennessee Women In 77-62 Win

In a significant Southeastern Conference (SEC) shakeup, the Mississippi State Bulldogs secured a commanding 77-62 upset victory over the No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers on Thursday night. The win marks a major milestone for the Bulldogs, representing their second victory over a ranked opponent this season and avenging a previous 90-80 loss to Tennessee earlier in January. The loss was particularly stinging for the Volunteers, as it snapped their impressive seven-game winning streak and ended their status as the final remaining undefeated team in SEC conference play. The Bulldogs' offensive surge was spearheaded by Kharyssa Richardson, who delivered an incredibly efficient performance. Richardson finished with 21 points, shooting 9-of-11 from the floor; notably, she scored 16 of those points in the second half to help seal the win. Support came from a well-rounded roster, with Trayanna Crisp contributing 15 points and three steals, while Madison Francis and Favour Nwaedozi both recorded double-doubles, illustrating Mississippi State's dominance in the paint and on the glass. The game turned on a pivotal momentum shift late in the second quarter. With the score tied at 26-26 and just over two minutes remaining in the half, Mississippi State ignited a 9-0 run, highlighted by two critical three-pointers from Crisp. They carried this energy into the third quarter with an 11-3 opening burst, stretching their lead to 14 points. Tennessee struggled to recover from this offensive onslaught, and the Bulldogs' lead eventually ballooned to 20 points, never dropping back into single digits for the remainder of the contest. Statistically, Mississippi State fundamentally outperformed Tennessee in areas where the Volunteers usually excel. Despite both teams being ranked nationally in rebounding, the Bulldogs dominated the glass with a 50-31 rebounding advantage. Furthermore, Mississippi State's transition game was lethal, outscoring the Volunteers 35-11 in fast-break points. While Talaysia Cooper led Tennessee with 19 points, the team could not overcome the Bulldogs' physical style of play. Following this upset, Mississippi State will look to build momentum against Missouri, while Tennessee faces a daunting recovery task as they travel to face No. 1 UConn.