The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
3-1
Milwaukee
2-1
Lady Rebels Capture Gran Tree Thanksgiving Classic Title
11/24/2001 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 24, 2001
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BOZEMAN, Mont. - Freshman guard Ally Kelly led four players in double figures with 19 points as Ole Miss (3-1) defeated UW-Milwaukee (2-1), 74-57, to claim the Gran Tree Thanksgiving Classic title.
Ole Miss jumped out to a 15-9 lead in the first half on sophomore forward Tenisha Gist's jumper with 11:26 remaining in the first half. UW-Milwaukee then went on a 20-10 run to take their biggest lead at 29-25 with 3:39 left in the half. The Lady Rebels closed out the half on a 7-2 run behind five points from junior forward Kayla Madewell, to take a 32-31, halftime lead..
The Panthers scored the first basket of the second half to take a one point lead, it would be their last of the game. Over the next 10 minutes, Ole Miss went on a 25-8 run behind four three-point baskets from Kelly to forge a 16 point lead. The closest UWM would get during the remainder of the game was 10 points.
"I am pleased with the improvement we are making," said Ole Miss head coach Ron Aldy. "We have a lot more work to do, but this was a great win for us. We spread the ball around really well and got production from every position on the floor."
Kelly made 7-of-12 shots from the floor including 5-of-9 from three-point range. She also had three rebounds and two steals in the game.
"I think we really played good team ball tonight," said Kelly, who hails from Austin, Texas. "We did a good job of moving the ball around and running our offense. I was fortunate to be the right place at the right time on many occasions."
Senior guard Von Kirk led Ole Miss in rebounding with eight boards. Kirk also added 10 points, two assists and three steals. Madewell finished with 11 points on 3-of-5 from the three- point line. She also had six rebounds. Senior center Saundra Jackson had 11 points and five rebounds. Senior guard Sherika Wright had seven assists and eight points.
Ole Miss shot 47 percent from the field, making 28-of-60 shots. They made 12-of-21 from the three-point line and 6-of-10 from the free throw line. The Lady Rebels out-rebounded the Panthers 37-33.
UW-Milwaukee made 20-of-50 shots from the field for 40 percent. They hit 5-of-15 from the three-point line and 12-of-20 from the free throw line. UWM committed 21 turnovers to Ole Miss'17.
Ole Miss will return to action on Tuesday, when they host Arkansas-Little Rock. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (CT) at Tad Smith Coliseum. UWM will face host Montana State Sunday, in the consolation game of the Gran Tree Thanksgiving Classic. All-Tournament honors will be announced following the game.
