The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
6-3
South Alabama
8-2
Lady Rebels Fall In Overtime, 62-61, To South Alabama
12/21/2001 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 21, 2001
ORLANDO, Fla. - ,Sara Carter hit a three-point shot with 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime to give South Alabama a, 62-61, victory over Ole Miss in first round play at the Central Florida Holiday Classic. South Alabama came back from a 17-point halftime deficit to steal the victory.
Ole Miss (6-4) jumped out to a 37-20 halftime lead on 55.6 shooting from the field, including 4-of-8 from the three-point line. Sophomore Tywanna Inmon came off the bench to score 10 first half points and push the Lady Rebel lead to double digits.
South Alabama (9-2) stepped up the defensive pressure in the second half forcing the Lady Rebels into 11 second half turnovers as they collected eight steals. The USA defense also held Ole Miss to 24 percent shooting in the second half and just 14 points.
Despite the cold shooting in the second half, Ole Miss held a two-point lead at 51-49 with just under a minute left in regulation, but Gamble scored on a turnaround jumpshot with 30 seconds left to tie the score. Ole Miss had the ball for the final possession, but failed to score, sending the game into overtime.
Ole Miss was led by Inmon, Sherika Wright and Ally Kelly with 12 points a piece. Saundra Jackson added nine points and Von Kirk scored eight. TaShondrea Moton led the Lady Rebels on the boards with eight, while Inmon, Wright and Amber Watts each pulled down six caroms.
The Lady Rebels shot 43.1 percent from the field for the game, making 25-of-58 shots including 6-of-14 from behind the arc. They made 5-of-10 free throws and held an overwhelming edge on the boards, out-rebounding the Jaguars 44-27.
South Alabama shot 41 percent from the field making 25-of-61 shots. The Jaguars made just 3-of-22 three-point shots, but hit 9-of-14 free throws. USA turned the ball over just 12 times, with only four of those coming during the second half and overtime.
Ole Miss will return to action Saturday, when they take on host Central Florida in the final day of action at the tournament. Game time is set for 4 p.m. (CT).
