The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
West Alabama (Ex.)
Lady Rebels Down Tigers, 94-57, In Exhibition Opener
11/9/2002 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2002
OXFORD, Miss. - Sophomore guard Elizabeth Cansdale led five Ole Miss players in double figures with 16 points as the Lady Rebels defeated West Alabama, 94-57, in their first exhibition game of the 2002-03 season. Sophomore center Amber Watts recorded a double-double with 15 points and 18 rebounds.
"I saw a lot of positives for us to build on," said Ole Miss head coach Ron Aldy. "I also saw a lot things we need to improve on, but overall I think it was a good start for us.
"We had a chance to get all of our players a lot of minutes and that will allow us to evaluate their progress. We have really battled injuries this preseason and it was good to see all of the girls out on the court."
Ole Miss got off to a slow start against the Tigers, falling behind 12-8 with 13 minutes remaining in the first half. Then the Lady Rebel sophomores put together a 17-4 run to take the lead for good. Cansdale (6), Carletta Brown (5) and Watts (4) scored all but two points during the run. The Lady Rebels continued to build on the spread and took a 39-27 halftime lead.
West Alabama scored the first two points of the second half, before Ole Miss reeled off 10-straight points to forge a 20-point deficit. The Tigers cut the lead to 18 points at the 15:26 mark in the second half, it would be the closest they would get the rest of the way.
"Our defense was pretty solid," said Aldy. "We did a good job of pressuring them to start the second half. We did a nice job on the defensive boards and that led us to some easy baskets."
In addition to Cansdale and Watts in double figures, Brown and junior Tia Watson recorded 14 points and freshman Ashley Johnson added 11 points. Junior Tenisha Gist scored eight points, junior Genice Terry had seven points, junior Tywanna Inmon chipped in six points and freshman Ellen Buchanan posted three points.
The Lady Rebels outrebounded the Tigers 64-29. In addition to Watts' 18 boards, Watson grabbed eight caroms, and Inmon and Gist both controlled seven rebounds. Brown led Ole Miss with five assists and Watson handed out four. Watts recorded four blocks.
"Offensively and defensively we still have a lot of improving to do," said Watts. "We found our rhythm in the second half and improved on some things. It was good to get that first game under our belt."
West Alabama was led by Veronica Lee with 13 points. Margo Porter and Tausha Evans both added 11 points. Nikki Jones and Pam Brown each grabbed four rebounds to lead the Tigers.
Ole Miss will return to action on Thursday, Nov. 14 when they host the Basketball Travelers in their second and final exhibition game. Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Tad Smith Coliseum. The Lady Rebels will host Southern University in their home-opener on Monday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. in Tad Smith Coliseum.
