The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
5-2
Vermont
5-2
Lady Rebels Shoot Lights Out To Defeat Vermont 74-53
12/4/2001 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 4, 2001
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OXFORD, Miss. - Von Kirk scored 15 points, Sherika Wright notched 13 points and Amber Watts put up 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds to lead Ole Miss (5-2) to a 74-53 win over Vermont (5-2) on Tuesday night.
"When three of your five starters come out and step it up and hit shots like that, it's a great thing," said Ole Miss head coach Ron Aldy. "Sherika was looking to drive, Amber was playing well inside and taking high percentage shots and Von was getting good looks on the perimeter and playing hard inside."
The Lady Rebels came out and traded baskets early with the Catamounts before settling into a rhythm on the way to a 33-25 halftime lead. Ole Miss came out aggressive to start the second half, letting defense set the tone for the offense as the Lady Rebels threw a full court press at Vermont.
"Offensively we looked for each other and played well together," Aldy said. "When you do that it leads to a lot of high percentage shots. Defensively we need to fix a couple of leaks, and didn't take care of the ball as well as we'd like, but we shot the ball well and that made up for it."
Ole Miss pushed it's way out to a 43-28 lead seven minutes into the half and was able to hold on to a 12 point cushion that Vermont was never able to break through for the rest of the night. The Lady Rebels forced 23 turnovers as Carletta Brown pulled in three steals. Ole Miss notched 21 assists on the night and out-rebounded the Catamounts 37-35.
Ole Miss made 28-of-53 shots on the night for 52 percent. They also netted 7-of-16 three- point baskets and 11-of-17 from the free throw line.
The Catamounts made just 33 percent of their shots on the evening, hitting 21-of-63. They made 6-of-17 from the three-point line and 5-of-8 free throw line.
Vermont was led by Lindsey Vine, who notched 12 points in the game. She was the only Catamount to score in double digits. Dawn Cressman led Vermont with nine rebounds.
The Lady Rebels return to action on Friday night when they travel to Jonesboro, Ark., to take on Arkansas State. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (CT).
