Mizzou Edges Out Mississippi State in Tight Battle, 88-80

Neither team led by more than 5 points in the back-and-forth contest at Humphrey Coliseum.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 4:15pm

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In a game that saw the lead change hands 20 times, the Missouri Tigers edged out the Mississippi State Bulldogs 88-80 in a close contest at Humphrey Coliseum on Sunday. The game was tightly contested throughout, with neither team holding more than a 5-point advantage at any point. The Tigers were led by strong shooting performances from Grace Slaughter and Shannon Dowell in the first half, while the Bulldogs got double-digit scoring efforts from Kharyssa Richardson, Favour Nwaedozi, and Trayanna Crisp, who hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give MSU a 44-43 halftime lead. The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with Madison Francis and Crisp keeping MSU in the game, but the Tigers ultimately pulled away late to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This was a hard-fought game between two competitive teams in the SEC, showcasing the depth and parity in women's college basketball. The close nature of the contest and the lead changes throughout highlight the evenly matched talent on both sides. The outcome also has implications for the SEC standings and NCAA Tournament seeding as the season progresses.

The details

The game was tightly contested from the opening tip, with neither team able to gain more than a 5-point advantage. The Tigers shot 5-9 from 3-point range in the first half to keep pace with the Bulldogs, who got strong offensive performances from Richardson, Nwaedozi, and Crisp. The second half saw the teams trade baskets, with Francis and Crisp keeping MSU in the game, but the Tigers ultimately pulled away late to secure the 88-80 victory.

  • The game was played on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Mississippi.
  • MSU will next play at No. 2 South Carolina this week, followed by a home game against Georgia on February 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM.

The players

Grace Slaughter

A Missouri Tigers player who scored 10 points in the first half to help keep the Tigers in the game.

Shannon Dowell

A Missouri Tigers player who also scored 10 points in the first half.

Kharyssa Richardson

A Mississippi State Bulldogs player who scored in double figures in the first half.

Favour Nwaedozi

A Mississippi State Bulldogs player who also scored in double figures in the first half.

Trayanna Crisp

A Mississippi State Bulldogs player who hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the first half and finished with a career-high 6 3-pointers in the game.

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What’s next

Mississippi State will look to bounce back this week with a road game against No. 2 South Carolina, followed by a home contest against Georgia on February 12th.

The takeaway

This close, back-and-forth battle between two talented SEC women's basketball teams showcased the depth and parity in the conference, as well as the competitive nature of the Bulldogs and Tigers programs. The outcome will have implications for the SEC standings and NCAA Tournament seeding as the season progresses.