The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Travel To Auburn For SEC Opener
1/3/2007 | Women's Basketball
Today's Game
Ole Miss travels to Auburn for its Southeastern Conference opener on Thursday, Jan. 4 ... The Rebels are 18-8 in SEC openers, including a 1-2 mark under head coach Carol Ross ... Ole Miss is 1-2 on the road this season, while the Tigers are 6-0 at home ... Senior guard Armintie Price needs just two steals to move into a tie for first place on the Ole Miss all time steals chart ... Price currently has 331 steals, while head coach Carol Ross is the current record holder with 333 steals ... Ole Miss opens SEC play on the road for the second time in the last three seasons ... The Rebels are making their first appearance on television this season.
About Ole Miss
Ole Miss defeated Nicholls State 87-50 in its last outing ... All but one player who dressed in the game, scored for Ole Miss ... Senior forward Jada Mincy missed her second-straight game nursing an injury ... Freshman guard Bianca Thomas made 5-of-7 shots from beyond the arc on her way to a career-best 18 points ... Sophomore center Shawn Goff scored seven of Ole Miss' first nine points and finished the game with 17 points and nine rebounds ... Senior guard Armintie Price scored 13 points and had eight rebounds ... Sophomore forward Brandi Tipton chipped in six points and added a career-best 10 rebounds in the win ... Ole Miss improved to 8-0 at home with the win ... They also improved to 3-1 versus the Southland Conference on the season ... Ole Miss made a season-high nine three-point baskets versus the Colonels.
Scouting Auburn
The Tigers enter Thursday's match-up with a 13-3 overall mark and are fresh off winning the Miami Holiday Tournament after handling the Hurricanes 79-61 in the championship contest.
Sophomore DeWanna Bonner, the reigning SEC Player of the Week, leads Auburn with 15.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. She has tallied seven double-doubles on the season.
Sherell Hobbs is the only other Tiger averaging double figures as she turns in 11.1 points per game. Tamela McCorvey is next with 9.8 tallies per outing.
Sophomore KeKe Carrier records an SEC best 2.7 blocks per game, while also adding 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Auburn head coach Nell Fortner is 43-31 in her third season with the Tigers. Fortner's overall coaching mark is 58-40 in her fourth season in the business.
Ross Versus Auburn
Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross owns a 8-12 mark against Auburn as a coach, including an 2-2 record since becoming the head coach at Ole Miss. While at Florida, Ross posted an 6-10 mark against AU.
As a player at Ole Miss, Ross went undefeated against the Tigers posting a 2-0 mark while wearing the Red and Blue.
The Series
Today's game will be the 44th meeting between Ole Miss and Auburn, with the Tigers leading the series 24-19. The Rebels defeated the Tigers, 107-62, on Dec. 8, 1978 at Auburn in the first meeting between the two schools. The following is the series history:
Ole Miss-Auburn Ties
The Rebels have two players from the Heart of Dixie on their current roster in freshmen Daphnee Frieson (Mobile) and Elizabeth Robertson (Vestavia). The Tigers do not have any Magnolia state players on their roster, however, head coach Nell Fortner is a native of Jackson, Miss.
Ole Miss signee Kayla Melson is also a native of Alabama as she hails from Montgomery. Melson will wear the Rebel uniform starting next season.
Rebel assistant coach Jocelyn McGilberry, a 1990 graduate of Auburn, earned four letters under former coach Joe Ciampi. McGilberry was a starting co-captain on AU's 1988-89 SEC Championship team that advanced to the NCAA finals.
Rebel head coach Carol Ross began her collegiate coaching career on the Auburn staff under Joe Ciampi. Ross spent seven seasons at AU helping guide the Tigers to the NCAA Championship game in each of her last three seasons (1988-90).
Auburn assistant coach Kerry Cremeans played her collegiate ball at Florida under current Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross. Cremeans and Ross led the Gators to two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Ole Miss In SEC Openers
Ole Miss is 18-8 in SEC openers. The Rebels have lost two-straight SEC openers, falling to Georgia the last two seasons. Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross is 1-2 in SEC openers with the Rebels as Ole Miss defeated her former team Florida 79-72 in its 2004 SEC opener.
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 before the season is over.
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 1,783 points, 1,009 rebounds, 331 steals and 316 assists through her first 105 games. If she makes the club, she will join Cheryl Miller, Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings and Sophia Young.
Putting Up The Points
The Rebels have been scoring at an alarming pace as they are averaging 83.1 points per game through the first 15 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. Three players are averaging double figures with senior guard Armintie Price leading the way with 19.2 points per game. She is joined by freshman guard Alliesha Easley with 10.6 points per outing and sophomore center Shawn Goff who adds 10.4 per game.
Thomas Tosses It In
Rebel freshman guard Bianca Thomas found her stroke in Ole Miss' win over Nicholls State in their last outing. 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 15 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 eight of 15 games this season. She ranks second on the team in scoring with 10.6 points per game and is the second-leading freshman scorer in the SEC, ranking 16th overall.
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 239 times themselves, Ole Miss has forced their opponents into 379 turnovers on the season, for an average of 25.3 blunders per game by their opponents.
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 47.9 rebounds per game through 15 games.
Mincy Makes Her Mark
Ole Miss senior forward Jada Mincy has been all over the boards as she leads the team averaging 8.2 caroms per contest. Mincy has posted double digits in rebounding in six games this season, including four of her last five outings. She pulled down a career-best 15 rebounds in Ole Miss' win over Penn State, including 11 in the first half. Mincy's 8.2 boards are sixth best 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.
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 31 times in 364 minutes of play, while registering 36 assists and 33 steals in the same amount of time. With an assist-to-turnover ration of 1.25, Awkward is one of the top floor generals in the SEC.
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.
Masters of Thievery
In Ole Miss' first 15 games the Rebels have picked up 212 steals with all 14 players recording at least three steals. The Rebels rank sixth in the NCAA with 14.1 steals per game. Senior Armintie Price leads the way with 59 pilfers, which ranks her seventh 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 33 steals and tied her career-high with six at UAB. Sophomore Shawn Goff, senior Jada Mincy and freshmen Alliesha Easley and Shantell Black are also in double figures with 22, 20, 17 and 17 steals, respectively.
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 15.1 minutes per game is averaging 6.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. She scored a seasons best 12 points in the Rebels win over Fordham, while also collecting six rebounds and five assists. The 6-1 Waynesboro native can play in the post or on the perimeter, allowing the Rebel coaches to play her at multiple positions.
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.
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.
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 10-3 record against non-conference opponents during the 2005-06 regular season.
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).
Up Next
The Rebels return home to host Vanderbilt at 1:30 p.m. (CT) in Tad Smith Coliseum on Sunday, Jan. 7 in their SEC home opener. Ole Miss will stay at home to host #6/6 LSU on Thursday, Jan. 11. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at the Tad Pad.
