The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
11-5 1-3
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Mississippi State
12-3 2-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State | 29 | 40 | 69 |
| Ole Miss Lady Rebels | 28 | 32 | 60 |
Lady Rebels Edged By No. 15 Mississippi St. 69-60
1/19/2003 | Women's Basketball
Ole Miss (11-5, 1-3) jumped out to an early 11-point lead behind strong defensive play and sharp shooting from three point range by Terry and Tia Watson. The Lady Rebels held MSU All-American LaToya Thomas scoreless for nearly the first nine minutes of the game. Once Thomas got on the board, MSU cut into the lead and eventually took a one point lead, 29-28 into the break.
To start the second half, the Lady Rebel defense again wrecked havoc on MSU as Ole Miss forged an eight point lead at 47-39 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game. The Lady Rebels then hit a scoring drought, going over six minutes with out a field goal. Thomas, who finished with a game-high 30 points, combined forces with sophomore Tan White to score 13 points in a 19-4 run that gave MSU the lead for good.
"I thought, effort wise, we played hard, played aggressive and did some things a whole lot better than our last time out," said Ole Miss head coach Ron Aldy. "That gave us a chance to win the game if we put the ball in the hole, and we didn't do that."
Watts finished with a double-double on the afternoon with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Terry, scored 14 of her 18 points in the first half and fouled out of the game with over six minutes remaining.
"The last six minutes without Genice on the floor was a big difference," said Aldy. "We didn't show the poise or the confidence that we needed in the second half. I think Genice not being on the floor was a big part of that."
Ole Miss shot just 27.3 percent from the field, making 18-of-66 shots. Ole Miss was able to stay in the game during their second half field goal drought by hitting a school record 17-of-17 shots from the free throw line. In addition to Watts and Terry, Watson finished with nine points on three three-point baskets and Carletta Brown added six points and six assists. Watts finished with a team-high four steals, while Terry added three.
MSU made 37.9 percent of their shots from the field and hit 21-of-25 from the charity stripe. The Lady Bulldogs out-rebounded Ole Miss 45-41.
Ole Miss will hit the road again as they travel to Lexington, Ky., on Thursday, Jan. 23. Ole Miss will play Kentucky at 6 p.m. (CT) in Memorial Coliseum.
