Mississippi State vs Cal final score: Madina Okot, Bulldogs win low-scoring March Madness game

Mississippi State women's basketball is on to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the second time under coach Sam Purcell.

The No. 9 seed Bulldogs (22-11) survived a low-scoring affair to take down No. 8 Cal 59-46 in the first round of March Madness on Saturday at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. The 46 points allowed ties an MSU program record for fewest in an NCAA tournament game.

Neither team shot the ball well; Cal (25-9) shot 25%. Despite entering the game 15th in the country in 3-pointers per game, the Golden Bears shot 3-for-21 from deep.

Mississippi State finished 35% from the field, but had 15 steals to help aid in the win. Junior center Madina Okot led the Bulldogs with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while grad student Eniya Russell added 14 points.

The Golden Bears took a 1-0 lead at the start of the game before the Bulldogs snatched it back on an Okot jumper and never surrendered it again, finishing the game with more than 37 minutes of time leading.

The Bulldogs advance to face No. 1 seed Southern Cal (29-3) on Monday at the Galen Center. The Trojans defeated No. 16 UNC Greensboro 71-25 at home on Saturday in the first round of the tournament.

The Bulldogs have reached the NCAA tournament 13 times, winning their first-round game in 12 of them. They last advanced to the second round in 2023 — Purcell's first year as head coach — after beating Illinois in the First Four and upsetting No. 6 Creighton in the first round.

Mississippi State vs Cal live score updates in Women's March Madness bracket

Mississippi State vs Cal start time, TV channel, location

• Start time: 4:30 p.m. CT
• TV info:ESPN2
• Location: Galen Center, Los Angeles

Mississippi State vs Cal preview

Mississippi State: Jordan leads a talented offensive attack for the Bulldogs and was one of two players, alongside Debreasha Powe, who played for the Bulldogs during their last tournament appearance in 2023 and helped them win a First Four game. Junior center Madina Okot has also had a breakout year, averaging 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.

Cal: The Golden Bears are one of the nation's best 3-point shooting teams. They make nearly nine shots per game from beyond the arc, the 15th highest mark in the country, while hitting 35.2% of their attempts. Cal isn't a very deep team, however, as only one starter plays fewer than 29 minutes per game and just two bench players average more than 10 minutes.

Mississippi State vs Cal odds, betting line, spread

Odds according to BetMGM

• Spread: -1.5 Cal
• Over/under: 145.5 points
• Moneyline: +115 Mississippi State

Mississippi State vs Cal prediction, game picks

Mississippi State 72, Cal 69: As long as the Bulldogs can keep the turnover rate down, they could be in good position to pull off the victory. Mississippi State is a more balanced squad, utilizing players off its bench, which can provide a boost as the game goes on. Still, as the No. 8 vs. No. 9 game, this one could go either way.

Mississippi State vs Cal injury updates

Mississippi State: No injuries reported.

Cal: No injuries reported.

Mississippi State vs Cal stats

MISSISSIPPI STATE:

• PPG: 76.0
• PPG allowed: 63.7
• FG%: 46.1%
• 3PT%: 33.0%

CAL:

• PPG: 73.7
• PPG allowed: 64.6
• FG%: 45.8%
• 3PT%: 35.2%

Mississippi State vs Cal championship odds

Odds according to BetMGM:

MISSISSIPPI STATE: +100000

CAL: +50000

Mississippi State basketball schedule 2024-25

The past five games of Mississippi State's 2024-25 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here

Cal basketball schedule 2024-25

The past five games ofCal's 2024-25 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here

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Evan Gerike is the sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email him at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @EvanGerike.