MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Harkins, Barnett, Blackwell, Blount, Browning, Carmichael, Caughman, Clarke, DeBar, Dearing, Fillingane, Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Kirby, McDaniel, Parker, Seymour, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY "LADY BULLDOGS" WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH VIC SCHAEFER FOR ADVANCING TO ITS FIRST NCAA TOURNAMENT "FINAL FOUR" APPEARANCE IN PROGRAM HISTORY.
WHEREAS, we join Mississippi State University "Lady Bulldogs" Women's Basketball Team in celebrating after upsetting Number-One seed Baylor 44-85 in overtime on Sunday, March 26, 2017, to advance to its first Final Four in program history. Mississippi State (33-4) will play UConn on Friday, March 31, 2017, in Dallas in the Final Four Semifinal; and
WHEREAS, the Lady Bulldogs were led by junior Morgan William's 41 points, the most any SEC player has ever scored in a single NCAA Tournament game. Mississippi State University will play in the National Semifinals on March 31, in Dallas, Texas. By winning the Oklahoma City Regional being played at Chesapeake Arena, Mississippi State University 33-4 advances to the school's first-ever Final Four. The heavyweight battle featured 12 ties and 25 leads changes. The swings of emotion were similar to Mississippi State's 75-64 win over Washington in the Sweet 16 round. The Bulldogs stayed with the Bears punch-by-punch with lifts at different times from Teaira McCowan and Chinwe Okorie underneath and William and Vivians from outside. Vivians added 24 points for the Bulldogs, while McCowan added 10 points. Vivians added six rebounds and six assists, while William had three rebounds and seven assists; and
WHEREAS, Morgan William set the school record for points, field goal makes and 3-point field goal makes in the NCAA Tournament Game by going 13-of-22 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free throw line. Her point total was the seventh most in a game in school history. She also took over the school's all-time lead for career assists. William was named Most Outstanding Player, while Vivians and McCowan were named to the All-Region Team; and
WHEREAS, for the contest, Mississippi State University hit 32 of 74 shots from the field (43.2%), 10 of 20 shots from 3-point range (50.0%) and 20 of 24 shots from the foul line (83.3%). Baylor hit 32 of 60 shots from the field (53.3%), 5 of 15 shots from 3-point range (33.3%) and 16 of 22 shots from the foul line (72.7%); and
WHEREAS, "The game turned into a guard game by the end of the half," Head Coach Vic Schaefer said. "And I love my guards. I wouldn't trade them for anybody"; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi State University 2016-2017 "Lady Bulldogs" Basketball NCAA Tournament Team Roster is: Dominique Dillingham, G; Blair Schaefer, G; Morgan William, G; Breanna Richardson, F; Ameshya Williams, F; Jazzmun Holmes, G; Roshunda Johnson, G; Jacaira Allen, G; Ketara Chapel, F; Teaira McCowan, C; Jordan Danberry, G; Zion Campbell, C; Victoria Vivians, G; and Chinwe Okorie, C; Head Coach, Vic Schaefer; Assistant Head Coach, Johnnie Harris; Assistant Coaches, Dionnah Jackson-Durrett and Carly Thibault; Director of Operations, Maryann Baker; Director of Scouting/Video Coordinator, Skylar Collins; Assistant Strength Coach, Anthony Harvey; Graduate Assistant, Christina Richardson; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the special accomplishments by these dedicated university athletes who have brought honor to their university, their community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby congratulate the Mississippi State University "Lady Bulldogs" Women's Basketball Team and Head Coach Vic Schaefer for advancing to its first NCAA Tournament "Final Four" appearance in program history.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Vic Schaefer, forwarded to Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.