Mississippi State Coach Sam Purcell Reflects on Blowout Loss to South Carolina

Bulldogs head coach discusses team's struggles in second half against national title contender

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Mississippi State women's basketball head coach Sam Purcell spoke with the team's radio broadcaster following a blowout 88-45 loss to third-ranked South Carolina. Purcell discussed the Bulldogs' struggles in the second half, particularly their inability to score and defend against the Gamecocks' size and length. He emphasized the need for his team to remain poised and focused on improving ahead of their next game against Georgia.

Why it matters

This loss drops Mississippi State to 15-9 on the season and 4-7 in SEC play, making their path to the NCAA Tournament more challenging. However, Purcell believes his team has shown mental toughness and can bounce back, with a key matchup against a ranked Georgia team on the horizon.

The details

Purcell said the Bulldogs competed well in the first half but were overwhelmed in the second half as South Carolina went to a 2-3 zone defense that clogged the lane and forced Mississippi State to shoot poorly from three-point range. He felt the third quarter was the "dagger" as his team came out flat. Purcell emphasized the need to improve defensively and find more offensive fluidity, especially against zone defenses.

  • The game took place on February 6, 2026.

The players

Sam Purcell

The head coach of the Mississippi State women's basketball team.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The third-ranked women's basketball team that defeated Mississippi State.

Georgia

The next opponent for Mississippi State, who Purcell says will likely be a ranked team.

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What they’re saying

“Well, for me, it was a tale of two halves. In the first half, we competed well, but in the second half, they went to their huge lineup and ran a 2-3 zone. They clogged the lane, made us shoot, and we couldn't get anyone going.”

— Sam Purcell, Head Coach, Mississippi State Women's Basketball (247sports.com)

“They are a final four, national championship team. Even when they sub at the end of the game, as we did, they still have five All-Americans on the floor.”

— Sam Purcell, Head Coach, Mississippi State Women's Basketball (247sports.com)

“Just keep preaching about toughness, that's how this league is. We have to keep fighting and keep getting better in all areas.”

— Sam Purcell, Head Coach, Mississippi State Women's Basketball (247sports.com)

What’s next

Purcell said the team needs to "stay laser-focused and keep that one-game-at-a-time mentality" as they prepare to face a ranked Georgia team next Thursday.

The takeaway

Despite the blowout loss, Purcell believes his Mississippi State team has shown mental toughness and can bounce back, with a key matchup against a ranked Georgia team on the horizon as they look to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume.