The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
8-1
Marshall
3-5
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ole Miss | 31 | 30 | 61 |
| Marshall University | 28 | 27 | 55 |
Johson Leads Ole Miss To Win Over Marshall
12/23/2002 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2002
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Box Score
NASSAU, Bahamas - Freshman guard Ashley Johnson scored 20 of her 23 points in the first half to lead Ole Miss to a 61-55 victory over Marshall in the consolation game of the Sun Splash Shootout held in Nassau, Bahamas. Johnson connected on 8-of-12 shots from the floor, including 4-of-6 from the three-point line to lead the Lady Rebels back from an early nine point deficit.
"Ashley really came alive today," said Ole Miss head coach Ron Aldy. "We were struggling offensively and she gave us a great lift. She made a few shots and got in a good rhythm. The whole team was able to feed off of her."
The Lady Rebels (8-1) dug themselves a hole early behind poor shooting and turnovers. Ole Miss trailed 13-2 at the 11:11 mark in the first half, before sophomore guard Carletta Brown nailed a jumper to start the ball rolling. Johnson took over from that point, connecting on eight of her next 10 shots to close out the half and forge a 31-28 halftime lead.
"We could not get any shots to fall early," said Aldy. "We started forcing some things and turning the ball over. Once Ashley got going, the offense opened up and we were able to score some points and get back in the game."
The Lady Rebels maintained control for most of the second half. Marshall (3-5) took the lead just twice in the second half, the final coming at the 12:29 mark when Cassie Hackbrook made a jumper to put the Thundering Herd up 38-37. The lead did not last long as sophomore guard Elizabeth Cansdale nailed a three pointer just 13 seconds later to take back the lead. Cansdale made another three-point shot on Ole Miss' next possession and the Lady Rebels were able to hold off MU for the remainder of the game.
In addition to Johnson, junior forward Tenisha Gist scored in double figures with 11 points. Junior forward Tywanna Inmon scored seven points and led Ole Miss with seven rebounds. Cansdale and freshman center Marie Deparrois each finished with six points. Deparrois grabbed six rebounds, while Cansdale led Ole Miss with four assists.
Marshall was led by Sikeetha Shepard-Hall with 16 points, while Hackworth and Christina Harbin finished with nine points. Catie Knable led the Herd with nine rebounds and Ida Dotson dished out five assists.
The Lady Rebels finished the game shooting 36.2 percent from the field as they made 21-of-58 shots. Ole Miss made 9-of-30 from the three-point line and 10-of-22 from the charity stripe.
Marshall made 21-of-55 shots from the field, good for 38.2 percent. The Thundering Herd made 5-of-15 three-point baskets and 8-of-13 free throws. MU out-rebounded Ole Miss 44-39.
The Lady Rebels will hit the court again on Friday, Dec. 28, when they travel to Miami, Fla., for the Sun & Fun Classic hosted by Florida International University. Ole Miss will play Georgia State in the first round of action.
