The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
4-0
Arkansas-Little Rock
0-5
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ole Miss | 29 | 38 | 67 |
| Arkansas-Little Rock | 22 | 37 | 59 |
Lady Rebels Defeat Arkansas-Little Rock, 67-59
12/3/2002 | Women's Basketball
Dec. 3, 2002
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Box Score
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Sophomore center Amber Watts scored a career-high 22 points, grabbed seven rebounds, collected two steals and two blocks to lead Ole Miss to a 67-59 win over Arkansas-Little Rock on Tuesday night at Trojan Fieldhouse.
"Amber again was a force inside for us," said Ole Miss head coach Ron Aldy. "She got into foul trouble early in the second half, but they had a hard time keeping her away from the goal. She played smart down the stretch and showed some composure."
Ole Miss (4-0) jumped out to an early eight-point lead, but let UALR (0-5) creep back into the game, before heading to the locker room holding on to a 29-22 lead. Watts scored 10 of her 22 points and junior guard Tenisha Gist had seven points to pace the Lady Rebels in the first half of play.
Ole Miss started the second half red hot, pulling out to a 13-point lead before letting UALR back into the game. The Trojans pulled within three points at the 2:30 mark, but Watts made a lay-up off an assists from junior Genice Terry to hold off UALR. Watts made two free throws and a lay-up for the final difference.
"We got out to a good lead and then let-up a little too early," said Aldy. "I was proud of the way our girls regrouped and held off UALR. We rose the challenge and that is encouraging."
Gist finished the game with 12 points, five rebounds and tied a career-high with eight assists. Senior Leah Henley and juniors Carletta Brown and Terry each scored seven points, while junior Tia Watson finished with five points. Freshman Ashley Johnson scored three points and freshman Ellen Buchanan and sophomore Elizabeth Cansdale each posted two points.
Henley had a team-leading eight caroms, while Buchanan and Watson each pulled down four. Watson also dished out four assists, and Henley had three steals.
UALR was led by sophomore Darci Cassidy with 15 points and junior Charise Billingsley with 12 points. Senior Eplunus Brooks grabbed 13 rebounds and scored eight points for the Trojans.
Ole Miss connected on 27-of-67 (40.3 percent) shots from the field, including 6-of-22 (27.3) from the three-point line. The Lady Rebels recorded 16 assists, 10 steals and three blocks.
UALR made 40.4 percent of their shots from the field, including 25.0 percent from the three-point line. The hit 8-of-10 from the free throw line, good for 80.0 percent. The Trojans collected 16 assists, three steals and two blocks. UALR out-rebounded Ole Miss 43-35.
The Lady Rebels will return to action on Sunday, Dec. 8, when they host Lipscomb University in Tad Smith Coliseum. Game time is set for 2 p.m.
