The University of Mississippi Athletics
Women's Basketball Opens SEC Tournament Play Versus Alabama
3/1/2007 | Women's Basketball
Today's Game
The Rebels will take on Alabama in Thursday's opening round of the 2007 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament ... The winner of the Ole Miss-Alabama match-up will take on the No. 4 seed LSU on Friday at 6 p.m. (CST) ... The Rebels defeated the Crimson Tide, 84-43, in their previous meeting this season ... Ole Miss forced 40 Tide turnovers in the game ... Ole Miss leads the all-time series 27-16, including a 3-1 advantage in games played in the SEC Tournament ... Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross is 4-1 versus Alabama during her tenure with the Rebels ... Ole Miss freshman Bianca Thomas turned in 17 points in this year's win over Alabama ... Thomas connected on 7-of-11 shots from the field, including 3-of-7 from three-point range ... Mississippi native Dedrea Magee led the Tide with 11 points in the loss.
About Ole Miss
Ole Miss is 20-9 overall with an 9-5 mark in SEC play after falling to Auburn, 64-56, in the regular season-finale ... Ole Miss reached the 20-win mark for the first time under head coach Carol Ross and the first time since going 21-8 during the 1994-95 season ... Ole Miss has won their opening round SEC Tournament game in each of the last three seasons, falling to LSU in the quarterfinals in the last two SEC Tournaments ... Senior guard Ashley Awkward needs nine points to reach 900 points in her career ... Senior guard Armintie Price needs just 24 rebounds to move into second place on the Ole Miss career rebounding chart ... The Rebels rank third in the NCAA with 13.4 steals a game.
Price And Easley Honored By The League Coaches
The Southeastern Conference announced its 2007 women's basketball postseason awards Tuesday, highlighted by Ole Miss' Armintie Price being named Defensive Player of the Year. Price was also tabbed a unanimous First-team honoree, while her teammate Alliesha Easley picked up All-Freshman team honors.
Tennessee's Candace Parker was named Player of the Year and Georgia's Ashley Houts was named Freshman of the Year. First-team and second-team All-SEC honorees, All-Freshman team, along with Player, Coach and Freshman, Defensive Player, 6th Woman and Scholar-Athlete of the Year were chosen by the league's 12 coaches.
"Armintie and Alliesha have been two of the primary reasons for the success of our team," said Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross. "It only makes sense that the coaches in the league would see fit to honor them. Our team is having one of the most successful seasons in recent years and its great to see these two players be rewarded for their hard work in helping lead us."
Price and Parker, along with Georgia's Tasha Humphrey, LSU's Sylvia Fowles and Vanderbilt's Carla Thomas were unanimous first-team members. Rounding out the First team were DeWanna Bonner of Auburn, Tennessee's Alexis Hornbuckle and Vanderbilt's Dee Davis.
Price ranks among the top five in the league in scoring (18.0), rebounding (9.1), assists (4.8) and steals (3.8) and is the only player to do so. She earned First team honors for the third-straight season after being named to the Second team as a freshman. Price is one of only four Rebels to earn First team honors three times in their careers, joining Eugena Conner, Jennifer Gillom and Clara Jackson, with Conner and Gillom being four-time honorees. Price, who is the SEC record-holder in Player of the Week honors with nine, recently became just the fifth player in NCAA history to record over 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 300 assists and 300 steals in a career.
"Once again Armintie has made her mark in the Southeastern Conference," said Ross. "She continues to establish herself as not only one of the oustanding players in the SEC, but one of the very best in the nation. When you do all of the amazing things she does on the court to help her team, this award really comes as no surprise."
Price also picked up SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second time in her career. The Myrtle, Miss., native nabbed the award as a sophomore and is the only two-time winner of the award since its inception.The 5-foot-9 guard not only leads the SEC in steals, but tops the NCAA as well, having collected 109 this season. She recorded Ole Miss' first-ever triple-double by posting a Rebel single game record 12 steals to go along with 34 points and 15 rebounds in a win over Illinois. Her 12 steals tied the SEC single game record and is the top mark in the NCAA this season. Price has posted 19 games this season with three or more thefts, including six contests where she tallied six or more steals.
Her masterful defense is about more than just steals, though, as Price tallied 16 blocks from her guard position and is the top rebounding guard in the history of the Southeastern Conference with 1,153 boards in her career, including 716 on the defensive end.
"I dont know if there has ever been a player in the NCAA who defensively impacts a game as much as Armintie Price," said Ross. "Its more than just her steals. She is the best rebounding guard in the history of the SEC and that speaks volumes. To be just 5-foot-9 and be able to control the boards the way she does is really just a testament to her will to win. She is a player her opponents have to be aware of every second of the game. She never takes a play off."
Easley is the seventh Rebel freshman to earn a spot on the All-Freshman team, following in Price's footsteps. The Cordova, Tenn., native finished the regular season ranked third on the team in scoring with 11.1 points per game. She started all 29 games, tallying double figures in 18. Easley was named SEC Freshman of the Week twice. She recorded a career best 25 points versus Illinois and led the Rebels with 19 points in their win over #5 LSU. Easley also averaged 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game for Ole Miss.
"It's great that Alliesha has been recognized for a consistent, tremendously good rookie SEC season," said Ross. "She has been a steady, dependable presence for our team. She set the tone for us in several of our big wins and has been an impact player from the day she arrived. Alliesha is very tough-minded and that is something that has helped her be such a great competitor in this conference."
Tennessee's Pat Summitt, in her 33rd season as head coach of the Lady Vols was named SEC Coach of the Year. This season Tennessee finished the regular season with a 27-2 overall record and the #1 seed of the tournament after going 14-0 in conference play. Georgia's Christy Marshall and Vanderbilt's Liz Sherwood were both named 6th Woman of the Year. While Arkansas' Sarah Pfeifer was named the SEC Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Scouting Alabama
The Crimson Tide enter Sunday's game with a 10-19 overall mark, including an 0-14 ledger in SEC play.
The Tide have seven freshmen on the roster, including three in the starting line-up. They are led on the season by senior Navonda Moore with 13.8 points per game. Fellow senior Kate Mastin drops in 13.0 tallies per game, while freshman Talisha Chandler leads the team with 6.7 board a game. Chandler also pours in 7.3 points a game.
Alabama averages 23.9 turnovers per game, while Ole Miss leads the SEC and ranks third in the NCAA in steals with 13.5 per game.
Alabama head coach Stephany Smith is 19-38 in her second season with the Crimson Tide. Her overall coaching mark is 177-126 in her 10th season in the business.
Ross Versus Alabama
Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross owns a 15-8 mark against Alabama as a coach, including an 4-1 record since becoming the head coach at Ole Miss. As a player at Ole Miss, Ross went 4-0 versus the Crimson Tide while wearing the Red and Blue.
The Series
Today's game will be the 44th meeting between Ole Miss and Alabama, with the Rebels leading the series 27-16. The Rebels are 3-1
versus Alabama in the SEC Tournament. The following is the series history:
Ole Miss-Alabama Ties
Ole Miss has two players on the roster who are natives of the state of Alabama in freshmen guard Elizabeth Robertson of Vestavia and center Daphnee Frieson of Mobile. Alabama has two players from the state of Mississippi in senior Navonda Moore of Jackson and freshman Dedrea Magee of Picayune.
Alabama head coach Stephany Smith is a native of the Magnolia state as she hails from Brookhaven. Smith is the daughter of Ole Miss Athletics Hall of Fame member Ralph "Catfish" Smith, who earned Second Team All-SEC honors as a member of the Ole Miss football team.
Ole Miss signed one player in the November signing period from the state of Alabama in Kayla Melson of Montgomery. Melson will join the Rebels in the fall of 2007.
Alabama graduate assistant coach Ashley Earley is a graduate of Briarcrest High School in Memphis, the alma mater of Ole Miss players Jada Mincy and Alliesha Easley. All three players played at Briarcrest under Hugh Freeze, who is now an assistant coach with the Rebel football program.
Mint Condition
Ole Miss senior guard Armintie Price became just the fifth player in NCAA history to post 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 300 assists and 300 steals in a career with 18 points versus Mississippi State on February 18. Price currently has 2,017 points, 1,153 rebounds, 392 assists and 381 steals. She joins Cheryl Miller, Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings and Sophia Young.
Working Overtime
The Rebels must be considered one of the blue collar teams around the NCAA. They are a hard-working team that doesn't mind dabbling in overtime. The Rebels have played in nine overtime periods this season, which is the most in the NCAA. Ole Miss has played in a triple overtime outing and two double-overtime games. Ole Miss has won three extra sessions, lost two and tied in four. Ole Miss is 3-2 in games decided in extra periods, and have won three-straight.
Ross-Led Rebels Hit 20
Ole Miss reached the 20-win mark for the first time under head coach Carol Ross and the first time since going 21-8 during the 1994-95 season. The nine SEC wins are also the most under Ross at Ole Miss and the most for the program since the 1991-92 team went undefeated in league play and took home the regular season title. The 20 wins marks the eighth time a Ross-coached team has reached the mark in her 16 seasons as a head coach, as she led seven Florida squads to 20 or more wins
Ashley--Not So--Awkward
Ole Miss senior guard Ashley Awkward has thrived for the Rebel offense since opening Southeastern Conference play. Awkward has posted double figures in all 14 games, averaging 16.0 points over the span, which ranks fifth in the conference in SEC games only. She has led Ole Miss in scoring in five of the last 10 games, including a 23-point performance in a an overtime win at Arkansas.
Grand Theft
Senior guard Armintie Price recently became the NCAA leader in steals per game at 3.8. Price has tallied 109 steals in 29 games so far this season and has ranked in the NCAA's top 10 in the category from the start of the season. Price assumed the top spot last week. She had six steals in her last outing versus Auburn. Price picked up five or more steals in eight games this season, including a career-best and Ole Miss single game record 12 thefts against Illinois.
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.
Round And Round She Goes
Rebel senior guard Armintie Price is not only one of the most well-rounded players in the SEC, but in the NCAA. Price is one of two players to lead her team in all four major statistical categories, joining Evansville's Rebekah Parker. Price is the Ole Miss leader in scoring (18.0), rebounding (9.1), assists (4.8) and steals (3.8). She ranks in the top five in the SEC in each of those four categories and is the only player in the conference to do so. She also ranks in the top 60 in the NCAA in all four categories, including ranking No. 1 in steals.
Price Takes Home SEC Honor
On Monday, Feb. 5, Armintie Price nabbed her fourth SEC Player of the Week honor of the season, marking her ninth overall selection for the award. The four honors this season ties Tennessee sophomore Candace Parker for the most honors this season, while the nine selections are the most by individual in the history of the SEC.
Rebels Starting At The Top
Facing a brutal schedule to open conference play, Ole Miss has managed to put together its best conference record since going undefeated in SEC play during the 1991-92 season. The Rebels have picked up road wins at Auburn, Kentucky, Florida, Mississippi State and Arkansas and home victories over #10/11 Vanderbilt, #5/6 LSU, Alabama and South Carolina against just five losses.
Rebels Add LaKendra Phillips
The Ole Miss women's basketball team added depth to an already promising backcourt announcing on Jan. 18 that LaKendra Phillips of Florida has transferred to join the Rebels. Phillips, who must sit out a year per NCAA transfer rules, will be eligible for competition following the completion of the Fall 2007 semester.
Phillips, a 5-9 guard, played in 12 games for the Gators before leaving at the end of the semester. She averaged 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per game, while logging nine minutes per outing. She notched a career-best 10 points versus North Florida, connecting on 3-of-4 shots from the field in the win. She pulled down a career-best four rebounds against South Alabama. Prior to her semester with the Gators, Phillips earned four letters at Ridgeway High School in Memphis where she was coached for three years by Lisa Moore and one year by Tonya Currie. During her four-year career with the Roadrunners, Phillips tallied 2,222 points, 1,355 rebounds, 242 steals and 184 assists while shooting a steady 75.5 percent from the free throw line. She was named 2006 Class AAA Tennessee Miss Basketball, presented by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), helping Ridgeway to a 35-3 record and the state quarterfinals as a senior. Phillips was named to the 'Class AAA Best of the Preps' in 2005 and 2006 by the Commercial Appeal. She also picked up 2006 TSWA AAA State first team honors, 2006 TSSAA District 15 AAA Player of the Year, All District and All-Regionals MVP during her time at Ridgeway.
Triple A' At Your Service
The Ole Miss guard trio of Ashley (Awkward), Alliesha (Easley) and Armintie (Price) have provided the Rebels will a steady dose on the offensive end of the court. The trio are the top three scorers for the Rebels and keep opponents on their toes with their balanced attack. Over the last 15 games, each one of the three has taken their turn leading the Rebels in scoring.
Easley Heats Up
Ole Miss freshman guard Alliesha Easley is making her presence felt on the court. Easley, who has started all 29 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 18-of-28 games this season. She ranks third on the team in scoring with 11.1 points per game and is the third leading freshman scorer in SEC play with 11.6 points per game.
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 443 times themselves, Ole Miss has forced their opponents into 686 turnovers on the season, for an average of 24.5 blunders per game by their opponents. Ole Miss' tunover margin of +8.7 is the highest in the SEC. The Rebels have forced 91 turnovers in their last three games combined and have caused 30 or more by their opponents on five occasions this season.
Rebel's Sweep Weekly Awards
Ole Miss senior guard Armintie Price and freshman guard Alliesha Easley swept the SEC weekly awards on Jan. 15, with Price being tabbed SEC Player of the Week and Easley getting the nod for SEC Freshman of the Week. Price earned the honor for the second-straight week and the third time this season after leading Ole Miss to wins over #5/6 LSU and at Kentucky. She averaged 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 3.5 steals over the two-game stretch, including a 15-point, 11-rebounds effort in an overtime win over the Wildcats. She posted her sixth double-double of the season and 48th of her career in the victory. Easley picked up the honor for the second time this season after leading Ole Miss with 19 points and three boards in the win over the Lady Tigers. The 77-74 win marked the Rebels' first win over a top five team since knocking off No. 3 Tennessee on Feb. 4, 1996. The Cordova, Tenn., native also scored 12 points and had three rebounds in the win over Kentucky, including 10 in the first half.
Awkward Takes Care Of Business
Rebel senior guard Ashley Awkward had a standout game in Ole Miss' 76-57 win over South Carolina. The 5-6 Memphis native tallied 22 points, just one shy of her career high, after making 4-of-5 shots from beyond the arc. Her four made treys were also a career best. Awkward also hit all four of her foul shots and canned a first-half buzzer beater from long range in the game's most exciting play. Awkward has scored in double figures in the last 14 games.
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 point guards and making it difficult for them to run their respective offensive sets. Black has been credited for 41 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' last three games. Thomas turned in an SEC game career-best 17 points versus Alabama, while knocking down 7-of-11 shots, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. Thomas was just one shy of her career high of 18 points she set versus Nicholls State in the Rebels final non-conference game. Thomas then had 10 points versus #3/3 Tennessee, while making 4-of-6 shots from the field, including 2-of-3 triples. She hit 1-of-3 from beyond the arc in helping Ole Miss defeat Mississippi State.
Putting Up The Points
The Rebels have been scoring at an alarming pace as they are averaging 78.1 points per game this season, which ranks eighth in the NCAA. Ole Miss 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 Armintie Price leading the way with 18.0 points per game, along with Ashley Awkward (12.3) and Alliesha Easley (11.1.)
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 20 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 an SEC best 44.6 rebounds per game through 29 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 7.6 caroms per contest. Mincy has posted double digits in rebounding in 10 games this season. She pulled down a career-best 15 rebounds in Ole Miss' win over Florida, including eight on the offensive end. Mincy's 7.6 boards are eighth best in the SEC.
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. Recently, she was named to the Wooden Award Midseason Top 20 List. Price has also been named to the Naismith Award Preseason list, Senior CLASS Award and the Wade Watch. The 5-9 guard was also 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.
Masters of Thievery
In Ole Miss' first 29 games the Rebels have picked up 388 steals with all 14 players recording at least three steals. The Rebels rank third in the NCAA with 13.4 steals per game. Senior Armintie Price leads the way with 109 pilfers, which ranks her first 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 53 steals and tied her career-high with six at UAB. Sophomore Shawn Goff, freshman Shantell Black, senior Jada Mincy and freshman Alliesha Easley, are also at 30+ with 43, 41, 38 and 37 steals, respectively.
Bartee From The Bench
Rebel junior guard-forward Carla Bartee has become a reliable sixth woman Ole Miss can count on. Bartee, who averages 13.4 minutes per game is averaging 5.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. She scored a seasons best 14 points in the Rebels win over Mississippi State, while also collecting six boards and two steals. The 6-1 Waynesboro native can play in the post or on the perimeter for the Rebels. Bartee has also been critical in two of Ole Miss' overtime wins. She scored 10 points in the overtime period versus Kentucky and had eight points in the second overtime period versus Arkansas, leading the Rebels to wins in both games.
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 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.
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).
