STARKVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — A surging Mississippi State squad looks to continue its dominant non-conference play when it hosts a struggling Samford team at Humphrey Coliseum on Sunday. The Lady Bulldogs (12-1) have won eight straight games since their only loss, a 69-62 defeat at Texas Tech on Nov. 20. They are coming off a commanding 85-37 road victory at La Salle on Dec. 20, where Destiney McPhaul posted a near triple-double with 16 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. McPhaul has been a consistent force, scoring in double figures in four of the last five games. Mississippi State’s offense has been potent, averaging 80.2 points during its winning streak and eclipsing 85 points four times. The defense has been equally stifling, holding opponents to an average of 52.2 points over the same stretch. They face a Samford Bulldogs team (6-9) seeking to snap a two-game skid after a 65-49 loss at UAB on Monday. Samford has faced a tough schedule, with four of its losses coming against Power Five opponents. Samford’s hopes will lean heavily on guard Kaylee Yarbrough, who has been a bright spot amid the team’s inconsistencies. Yarbrough is averaging 18.8 points over her last five games, including a 29-point outburst in a win at South Carolina Upstate on Dec. 14. She led Samford with 13 points in the loss to UAB. However, Samford has struggled offensively against high-major competition, failing to score more than 60 points in losses to Alabama, Minnesota, Tennessee Tech and UAB this season. Containing Mississippi State’s balanced attack, which features McPhaul, Jaylah Lampley (18 points vs. La Salle) and post presence Favour Nwaedozi (13 points, 16 rebounds vs. La Salle), presents a formidable challenge. This game concludes the non-conference slate for both programs. Mississippi State opens Southeastern Conference play at home against Auburn on Jan. 1. Samford begins Southern Conference play at home against Fisk on Jan. 2. Tip-off is set for Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at Humphrey Coliseum.