Mississippi State Bulldogs Defeat Georgia Bulldogs 85-71

Mississippi State women's basketball team wins tough battle against Georgia in SEC matchup

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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In a hard-fought game between the two Bulldogs teams, Mississippi State came out on top with an 85-71 victory over Georgia. The home team used a relentless defensive effort and balanced scoring to overcome an early deficit and control the game. Mississippi State outrebounded Georgia 36-30 and forced 20 turnovers, converting those into 25 points. Destiney McPhaul led the way off the bench with 18 points, including two key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

Why it matters

This victory is a big boost for Mississippi State's NCAA Tournament hopes, as they look to secure a spot in the Big Dance. The Bulldogs came into the week projected as a 9-seed, and this win over a conference rival keeps them firmly in the mix. It also shows the team's toughness and ability to respond after a tough loss, demonstrating the resilience needed to make a deep postseason run.

The details

Mississippi State fell behind 18-11 in the first quarter, but closed the period on a 10-0 run to take a 21-18 lead. They would not relinquish that lead for the rest of the game, growing the advantage to as much as 11 points in the second quarter before Georgia chipped away. However, every time Georgia made a run, Mississippi State responded, going on an 18-1 spurt in the third quarter to build a comfortable lead. The home team's defense was the key, limiting Georgia's points in the paint after the early going and forcing 20 turnovers.

  • The game was played on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • Mississippi State closed the first quarter on a 10-0 run to take a 21-18 lead.

The players

Destiney McPhaul

A Mississippi State player who came off the bench to score 18 points, including two key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help seal the win.

Madison Francis

A Mississippi State freshman who had 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots, continuing her strong season.

Kharyssa Richardson

A Mississippi State player who scored 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the victory.

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What they’re saying

“I'll play anybody in the country here. We got punched in the mouth at South Carolina and I thought there was a toughness about us that we were able to play all four quarters that was huge. Our theme was 'not today'.”

— Nikki McCray-Penson, Mississippi State Head Coach (on3.com)

“I'm down to do whatever this team needs me to do to win. It's about making sacrifices and adjustments. The past few games have been a rollercoaster for us so we had to figure some things out. If me coming off the bench works, we'll go with it.”

— Destiney McPhaul, Mississippi State Player (on3.com)

What’s next

With this important SEC win, Mississippi State moves closer to securing an NCAA Tournament berth. Their next game is on the road against Arkansas on Monday, February 17th at 6:30pm on SEC Network.

The takeaway

This victory showcases Mississippi State's toughness and resilience, as they were able to respond to Georgia's runs and pull away for a double-digit win. The balanced scoring and stifling defense will be key as the Bulldogs continue their push towards the postseason.