STARKVILLE, Miss.
— Jerkaila Jordan delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 24 points—18 of which were found in the second half—leading Mississippi State to a hard-fought 81-77 victory over the No. 10 ranked Oklahoma team.

Jordan had an efficient game, converting 10 of her 17 attempts from the field while also contributing six rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Eniya Russell supported the team with 12 points, while Destiney McPhaul came off the bench to add 10 points for the Bulldogs, improving their record to 14-3 overall and 1-2 in the Southeastern Conference.

On the opposing side, Oklahoma’s Raegan Beers shone brightly, scoring 19 points and securing 10 rebounds, complemented by Payton Verhulst, who added 15 points, and Liz Scott with 12 points. The Sooners now sit with a record of 13-3, also 1-2 in the conference.

Late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs ignited a crucial 7-0 run, which allowed them to take a 53-49 lead into the final period. Throughout the closing minutes, they executed essential defensive plays and converted free-throw opportunities, maintaining their edge.

Mississippi State had experienced a tough loss against No. 2 South Carolina just a week prior, where they held an 11-point lead before succumbing to a staggering 34-2 run and a final score of 95-68. Early in the game against Oklahoma, it seemed the Bulldogs might face a similar fate; they jumped ahead with a 31-17 advantage in the second quarter, only to see that lead diminish as the Sooners charged back with a 14-1 run, closing the half at 33-32.

In this game, even as they lost their lead, Mississippi State never fell behind by more than four points during the third quarter and managed to control the majority of the fourth quarter.

**Key Takeaways**:
For Mississippi State, this victory served as a valuable boost in confidence, especially after their disappointing start in conference play, which included losses by more than 20 points.

For Oklahoma, a concerning statistic arose: Mississippi State capitalized significantly, scoring 25 points from Oklahoma’s 21 turnovers.

**Key Moment**:
In a tense final moment with Mississippi State ahead by just two points, Denim DeShields made a clutch steal, then sank two free throws to secure the win for the Bulldogs.

**Next Matches**:
Mississippi State is set to visit Georgia this Sunday, while Oklahoma will be hosting Texas A&M on the same day.