Enjoying the best start in school history, 14th-ranked South Carolina travels to Mississippi State on Sunday to begin its first Southeastern Conference road trip of the season.

The Lady Gamecocks (13-1, 1-0) could not be entering this contest in any better shape, as they are riding a nine-game winning streak, including a 71-52 upset of No. 6 Vanderbilt on Thursday in their conference opener.

It was South Carolina's sixth consecutive win by double digits. Junior forward Jocelyn Penn, who averages a team-high 17.4 points, led the way with 17 points and seven rebounds. Guard Shaunzinski Gortman added 15, and reserve guard Kelly Morrone scored 11.

But South Carolina coach Susan Walvius was more impressed with the Lady Gamecocks' defensive effort. They scored 25 points off 15 Vanderbilt turnovers.

``It was a great defensive effort by our team tonight,'' Walvius said. ``Our defense forced (Vanderbilt) to turn the ball over.''

The Lady Gamecocks have not lost since falling to unranked Clemson on Nov. 28, 2001.

Mississippi State (10-4, 1-0) will be returning home after playing its last five on the road. In their SEC opener on Thursday, the Lady Bulldogs topped Kentucky 59-54, ending a two-game losing streak.

``It was not a very well-played game, but we played well enough to win the game,'' Mississippi State coach Sharon Fanning said. ``We came up with some big plays when we needed them.''

Forward LaToya Thomas, who leads the Lady Bulldogs with 22.4 points per game, scored a game-high 21 in the win.

Mississippi State leads the all-time series with South Carolina 8-4, but the Lady Gamecocks won last season's meeting 76-59.