Mississippi State’s second-half defensive effort against Southern Miss proved to be too much for the Lady Eagles in an 86-42 loss to the Bulldogs. Despite the loss, Southern Miss head coach Joye Lee-McNelis said “A star was born” in Daishai Almond.
With Southern Miss down 38-23 in the second quarter, junior point guard Shonte Hailes hit a jump shot but immediately went down grabbing for her ankle afterward.
Called on to take over for Hailes was the true freshman Almond. Other than in team’s previous game against Alcorn State, Almond had recorded less than three minutes of playing time in her last four appearances.