The University of Mississippi Athletics
Women's Basketball Travels To Kentucky Sunday
1/13/2007 | Women's Basketball
Today's Game
Ole Miss travels to Kentucky for a match-up with the Wildcats on Sunday, Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. (CST) ... The Rebels lead the all-time series 18-8, but the Wildcats took both games last season ... Ole Miss is 3-0 to open conference play for the first time since the 1991-92 season when the Rebels won the SEC title with an 11-0 mark ... Ole Miss is 2-2 on the road this season ... Ole Miss is 8-4 in games played in Lexington, but has lost three-straight ... Rebel senior guard Armintie Price is the reigning SEC Co-Player of the Week, after posting two double-doubles last week and setting a new Ole Miss mark for career steals.
About Ole Miss
Ole Miss is 14-4 overall with a 3-0 mark in SEC play after defeating #5/6 LSU, 77-74, in their last outing ... With the win, the Rebels knocked off a top five opponent for the first time since defeating No. 3 Tennessee on Feb. 4, 1996 ... Four Rebels posted double-figures in the win, improving their record to 7-2 when four or more players post double digits ... Senior guard Armintie Price leads Ole Miss on the season with 19.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.8 steals per game ... Freshman guard Alliesha Easley drops in 11.4 points per outing, while sophomore center Shawn Goff (9.7) and senior guard Ashley Awkward (9.6) are nearly averaging double digits per game ... Senior forward Jada Mincy pulls down 7.8 rebounds and Goff grabs 6.6 ... The Rebels are averaging an SEC best 81.8 points per game and also lead the league in rebounding offense with 46.6 caroms per contest.
Scouting Kentucky
The Wildcats enter the game with a 13-4 overall mark, including a 2-0 record in SEC play. Kentucky has knocked off South Carolina at home and Alabama on the road in their two SEC wins.
Junior center Sarah Elliott leads the UK offense with 13.8 points per game. Elliott also pulls down 6.5 boards a game. Fellow junior Samantha Mahoney adds 13.4 points per outing and ranks second on the team with 45 assists.
Senior Jenny Pfeiffer drops in 10.6 points and is the leading long range shooter with 36 threes on the season. Fellow senior Jennifer Humphrey pulls down a team-best 9.8 rebounds per game, while also adding 7.3 points.
Sophomore point guard Carly Ormerod runs the show for the Wildcats. Ormerod is averaging 9.1 points and team-high 3.9 assists per game.
Kentucky head coach Mickie DeMoss is 65-46 in her fourth season with the Wildcats. DeMoss' overall mark is 110-114 in her eighth year in the business.
Ross Versus Kentucky
Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross owns an 11-7 mark against Kentucky, including a 1-3 mark as the head coach at Ole Miss.
As a player at Ole Miss, Ross went undefeated against the Wildcats posting a 1-0 mark while wearing the Red and Blue. Ross' team defeated Kentucky, 79-62, in the 1980 SEC Tournament. Ole Miss associate head coach Peggie Gillom-Granderson and assistant coach Renee Ladner were teammates of Ross on that Lady Rebel team.
Ole Miss-Kentucky Ties
The Rebels do not have any Kentucky natives on their roster, and likewise Kentucky does not field any Mangolia state natives.
Ole Miss players Ashley Awkward, Alliesha Easley and Jada Mincy and Kentucky player Jennifer Humphrey are all natives of Memphis, Tenn., with Awkward attending White Station High School, Easley and Mincy attending Briarcrest Christian High School and Humphrey graduating from Ridgeway High School.
Ole Miss senior Ashley Awkward and Kentucky senior Jennifer Humphrey played on the same summer AAU team.
Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross and UK head coach Mickie DeMoss are both in their fourth year at their respective schools. Both coaches assumed the head coaching position at Florida prior to their current head coaching positions. Ross was 247-121 in 12 seasons (1991-02) in Gainesville, while DeMoss was 45-68 in four seasons (1979-83).
Mint Condition
Ole Miss senior guard Armintie Price is on pace to become just the fifth player in NCAA history to post 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 300 steals and 300 assists in a career. Price enters today's game with 1,845 points, 1,038 rebounds, 340 steals and 333 assists through her first 108 games. If she makes the club, she will join Cheryl Miller, Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings and Sophia Young.
The Series
Today's game will be the 27th meeting between the two schools, with Ole Miss leading the series 18-8. Kentucky took both games last season. The following is the series history:
Rebels Starting At The Top
Facing a brutal schedule to open conference play, Ole Miss has managed to put together its best mark after three games since going undefeated in SEC play during the 1991-92 season. The Rebels have picked up a road win at Auburn, and home victories over #10/11 Vanderbilt and #5/6 LSU since tipping off SEC play.
Anointing With Their Voices
A trio of Rebel basketball players formed a singing group two years ago and has been performing ever since. Senior Armintie Price and juniors Danetra Forrest and Carla Bartee formed the group The Anointed Voices, a primarily gospel singing group nearly two years ago. The trio has performed several times locally and was invited to be the featured entertainment at the 2006 Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet. The Anointed Voices performed in place of an opening prayer to a large round of applause. They are scheduled to sing the national anthem at a home game.
Back In Black
Rebel freshman guard Shantell Black has found her way into the Ole Miss line-up by playing suffocating defense. Black, who head coach Carol Ross refers to as a water bug', has made her presence felt by harrassing opposing points guards and making it difficult for them to run their respective offensive sets. Black has been credited for 22 steals on the season, but she has been instrumental in forcing many others.
Thomas Tosses It In
Rebel freshman guard Bianca Thomas found her stroke in Ole Miss' win over Nicholls State. Thomas turned in a season's best 18 points, while knocking down 5-of-7 shots from beyond the arc. She also tied her career high with four boards. Thomas previously had made 3-of-5 from three-point land in the season-opener versus Southeastern Louisiana.
Easley Heats Up
Ole Miss freshman guard Alliesha Easley is making her presence felt on the court. Easley, who has started all 18 contests for the Rebels, turned in a career-best 25 points in Ole Miss' 75-50 win over Illinois. She connected on 12-of-16 shots from the field, good for 75 percent. Easley also scored 24 points in a double-overtime loss to Rice and has scored in double figures in 11-of-18 games this season. She ranks second on the team in scoring with 11.4 points per game and is the second-leading freshman scorer in the SEC, ranking 22nd overall.
Putting Up The Points
The Rebels have been scoring at an alarming pace as they are averaging 81.8 points per game through the first 18 games of the season, which ranks third in the NCAA. Ole Miss finally topped the century mark with their 104-63 win over Central Arkansas. The Rebels have also managed to score in the 90s in five games, including a 99-point performance at UAB and versus Fordham. Two players are averaging double figures with senior guard Armintie Price leading the way with 19.4 points per game. She is joined by freshman guard Alliesha Easley with 11.4 points per outing.
Price Named To DoubleTree Classic All-Tournament Team
Rebel senior guard Armintie Price was honored as a member of the DoubleTree Classic All-Tournament Team after averaging 18.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.5 steals per game over the two-game tourney. The All-Tournament Team honors are the eighth of Price's career and the first this season.
Making A Mess
The Rebel defense has had a penchant for forcing their opponents to turn the ball over. While only turning the ball over 275 times themselves, Ole Miss has forced their opponents into 432 turnovers on the season, for an average of 24.2 blunders per game by their opponents.
Tipton Returns To The Line-up
Sophomore forward Brandi Tipton missed all of November after suffering a dislocated knee cap during the first week of practice in October. Since being cleared to play, Tipton has slowly worked way back into the rotation and has contributed 12 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two assists in Ole Miss' last three games.
Rebounding Rebels
Despite a slow start, Ole Miss eventually out-rebounded Rice 62-58 in their double-overtime loss to the Owls. The 62 rebounds were the most collected by an Ole Miss team since they pulled down 69 versus Grambling State on Dec. 16, 2004. Three Rebels rank in the top 10 in the SEC in rebouding, while five Rebels have posted double figures in rebounds this season. Sophomore Shawn Goff picked up a career-best 19 versus Rice and 12 in the opener versus Southeastern Louisiana. Senior guard Armintie Price pulled down 15 caroms in Ole Miss' win over Illinois, and senior forward Jada Mincy grabbed 15 versus Penn State. Junior Danetra Forrest tallied 13 at UAB and sophomore forward Brandi Tipton pulled down 10 versus Nicholls State. Ole Miss is averaging 46.6 rebounds per game through 18 games.
Mincy Makes Her Mark
Ole Miss senior forward Jada Mincy has been all over the boards as she ranks second on the team averaging 7.8 caroms per contest. Mincy has posted double digits in rebounding in six games this season. She pulled down a career-best 15 rebounds in Ole Miss' win over Penn State, including 11 in the first half. Mincy's 7.9 boards are seventh best in the SEC.
Masters of Thievery
In Ole Miss' first 18 games the Rebels have picked up 242 steals with all 14 players recording at least three steals. The Rebels rank fifth in the NCAA with 13.6 steals per game. Senior Armintie Price leads the way with 68 pilfers, which ranks her fifth in the NCAA. Price posted 12 steals in Ole Miss' win over Illinois, the top performance in the NCAA this season. Senior Ashley Awkward has picked up 35 steals and tied her career-high with six at UAB. Sophomore Shawn Goff, senior Jada Mincy and freshmen Shantell Black and Alliesha Easley are also in double figures with 24, 24, 22 and 19 steals, respectively.
Awkward Takes Care Of Business
Rebel senior guard Ashley Awkward is taking care of the ball just the way head coach Carol Ross likes from her point guards. Awkward has turned the ball over just 38 times in 456 minutes of play, while registering 47 assists and 35 steals in the same amount of time. With an assist-to-turnover ration of 1.13, Awkward is one of the top floor generals in the SEC.
Easley Nabs SEC Freshman of the Week Honors
Ole Miss freshman guard Alliesha Easley was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday, Dec. 11 following Sunday's Rebel win over Penn State where she led the team in scoring with 15 points. Easley, who has led Ole Miss in scoring twice on the season, made 6-of-14 shots from the field and also added two rebounds, two assists and two steals. She drew three charges during the game and helped Ole Miss hold the Lady Lions to two field goals during the first 13 minutes of the game. Easley has now scored in double figures in five of nine games on the season and ranks second on the team in scoring with 12.2 points per game. Easley is the second player to be honored by the SEC this season as senior guard Armintie Price picked up SEC Player of the Week honors. She is also the first Rebel to be named SEC Freshman of the Week since the awards inception last season.
Price Named SEC Player of the Week
Ole Miss senior Armintie Price picked up SEC Player of the Week honors for the first time this season and the sixth time in her career on Monday, Dec. 3. Price recorded her first career triple-double in leading the Rebels to a 75-50 win over Illinois in her only action that week. She had 34 points, 15 rebounds and 12 steals in the win. Her 34 points tied a career-high as she also scored 34 points in a win over UAB this season. Her 34 points effort marked the second time this season and fifth time in her career she has eclipsed the 30-point level. Her 12 steals set a new personal best and also set a new Ole Miss single game mark for steals breaking head coach Carol Ross' 11 steals effort during the 1979-80 season. Price's 15 rebounds were a season-high and marked the 47th time in her career she has recorded 10 or more boards in a game.
Price On Watch Lists
Ole Miss senior guard Armintie Price is being recognized by nearly all of the national awards as they open their watch lists for the 2006-07 season. Price has been named to the Naismith Award Preseason list, Wade Watch as well as the Wooden Award Preseason list. The 5-9 guard was recently recognized by ESPN.com as one of the top five two guards in the NCAA and was selected by GBallMag.com as a preseason Second Team All-America. Price was unanimously voted to the preseason First Team All-SEC by the league coaches and was also selected for the same team a panel of media at the 2006 SEC Media Days. She was also honored as a preseason All-America and First Team All-SEC by Basketball Times.
Goff Named To Junkanoo Jam Team
Rebel sophomore center Shawn Goff picked up all-tournament honors for the first time in her Ole Miss career at the 2006 Junkanoo Jam after leading the Rebels with 26 points, 20 rebounds, five steals and four blocks in the two-game tournament. Goff led Ole Miss versus Maryland by tying a career-high with 18 points.
Bartee From The Bench
Rebel junior guard-forward Carla Bartee has become a reliable sixth woman Ole Miss can count on. Bartee, who averages 13.9 minutes per game is averaging 5.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. She scored a seasons best 12 points in the Rebels win over #5/6 LSU, while also collecting five rebounds and two steals. The 6-1 Waynesboro native can play in the post or on the perimeter for the Rebels.
Goff Fills It Up
Rebel sophomore center Shawn Goff came off the bench to post 18 points and 19 rebounds in Ole Miss' double overtime loss to Rice. Goff, who played a career-best 41 minutes, posted 13 of her rebounds and 12 of her points in the second half and overtime periods. She was instrumental in helping the Rebels erase a 12-point second half deficit and force the Owls into the exteded periods of play. She also finished with three steals, two assists and a block in the game.
Double Dee
Ole Miss junior forward Danetra Forrest was instrumental in Ole Miss' victory over UAB, recording her third career double-double with 15 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Forrest scored 10 of her points in the second period helping gain the Rebels some much needed breathing room down the stretch of their win over the Blazers. She kept Ole Miss in the game in the first period with nine of her 13 boards.
Impressive Outside The SEC
The Rebels have compiled an impressive record outside the Southeastern Conference in regular-season play. Ole Miss owns a 192-50 record (.793 winning percentage) versus non-conference opponents since 1990. The Rebels' best non-conference record during that time came during the 1991-92 SEC Championship season, as they compiled a 15-1 mark versus non-conference foes. Ole Miss posted a 11-4 record against non-conference opponents during the 2006-07 regular season.
Easley Gets The Nod
Ole Miss freshman Alliesha Easley got her name called among the starters in the Rebels' season opener versus Southeastern Louisiana. Easley was the first Ole Miss true freshman to start the season since Armintie Price started her game in the 2003-04 season-opener. Easley and Price are the only two freshmen to start at Ole Miss under head coach Carol Ross.
Three-Peat
During the 2005-06 season, the Rebels made their third-straight postseason appearance. The Rebels advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2004 and 2005 and participated in the WNIT in 2006. Ole Miss is tied for 17th in the country in NCAA Tournament appearances with 16 and picked up its first postseason win under head coach Carol Ross with a 78-76 win over Kansas in the first round of the 2006 WNIT.
Fab Five
Five fabulous freshmen joined the Rebel program for the 2006-07 season, with each having gained championship experience at the high school level before heading off to Ole Miss. Shantell Black (Lawrenceville, Ga.), Alliesha Easley (Cordova, Tenn.), Daphnee Frieson (Mobile, Ala.), Elizabeth Robertson (Vestavia, Ala.) and Bianca Thomas (Henderson, Tenn.) each joined the Rebels in July and are prepared to make an impact as Ole Miss makes a run at its fourth-straight postseason appearance.
Price Featured On ESPN.com
Ole Miss senior guard Armintie Price is currently featured on www.ESPN.com on the women's college basketball page. Price is listed as one of the top five two-guards in the NCAA as noted by the website's women's college basketball analysts.
Mechelle Voepel, Nancy Lieberman, Beth Mowins and Melanie Jackson compiled a list of the top five players at each position, ranking Price the top player at the two-guard spot. She is joined on the list by junior Matee Ajavon (Rutgers), junior Candice Wiggins (Stanford), senior Shay Doron (Maryland) and senior Cori Chambers (Georgia).
Birthday Party
Three Ole Miss players blew out candles to celebrate their birthdays over a nine-day period. Senior Jada Mincy turned 22 on Dec. 31, 2006, while freshman Shantell Black (19, Jan. 5) and sophomore Shawn Goff (20, Jan. 8) each added a year last week.
Up Next
The Rebels hosts South Carolina on Thursday, Jan. 18. The game will be part of "Tickled Pink in the Tad Pad" promoting breast cancer awareness. Game time versus the Gamecocks is scheduled for 7 p.m. Ole Miss will then be out of action on Sunday, Jan. 21.
