Ole Miss Faces Tennessee In Elite Eight Tuesday Night

Today’s Game

            The seventh-seeded Ole Miss Rebels will face the top-seeded Tennessee Lady Vols in Tuesday’s regional final in the Dayton Region in the 2007 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship at 6 p.m. CT  on ESPN ... The Rebels advanced to their first Elite Eight under head coach Carol Ross with a 90-82 win over Oklahoma in the Sweet 16 ... The win advanced Ole Miss to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1992 ... Ross is making her second Elite Eight appearance in her career, advancing the regional finals with her former team Florida in 1996 ... Ole Miss  is 7-30 in the all-time series with Tennessee, with the Lady Vols winning 13-straight meetings ... The Rebels boast an 18-16 overall mark in NCAA Tournament play and are 3-2 under Ross.

About Ole Miss

            Ole Miss is 24-10 overall and finished with a 9-5 mark in Southeastern Conference play ... Ole Miss is making its fourth-straight postseason appearance under head coach Carol Ross ... Senior Armintie Price was recently named a finalist for the 2007 WBCA/Kodak All-America Team ... With five steals versus Oklahoma, Price joined Cheryl Miller as the only two players in NCAA history to record over 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists and 400 steals in a career ... Price’s 31 points versus Oklahoma marked her fifth 30-plus point performance of the season ... She also recorded her 15th double-double of the year with 10 boards to go along with her 31 points ... Senior Ashley Awkward needs 29 points for 1,000 in her career.

Scouting Tennessee

            The Lady Vols enter the game as the No. 1 seed in the Dayton Regional and have posted wins over Drake, Pittsburgh and Marist to advance to the regional final. Tennessee is 31-3 and posted a perfect 14-0 mark in the SEC. Sophomore forward-center-guard Candace Parker took home SEC Player of the Year honors and leads the team in scoring and rebounding with 19.7 points and 9.6 caroms per contest. Parker also leads the team with 96 blocks. Senior forward Sidney Spencer adds 11.5 points per game and is the leading three-point shooter at 41.0 percent from beyond the arc. Spencer also grabs 4.3 rebounds. Junior guard Alexis Hornbuckle is the third Lady Vol in double-figures with 10.6 tallies a game and also pulls down 5.1 boards. Hornbuckle leads the team in assists (4.1) and steals (3.1) per game. Junior Shannon Bobbitt turns in 8.5 points per game and has made a team-leading 60 three-point baskets on the season. Junior forward-center Nicky Anosike hauls in 5.8 rebounds per game, while also scoring 7.4 points for UT. Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt, the SEC Coach of the Year, is 944-180 in her 33rd season with the Lady Vols. Her overall coaching mark is the same.

Ole Miss-Tennessee Ties

            Ole Miss has four players from the Volunteer state in seniors Ashley Awkward (Memphis) and Jada Mincy (Memphis) and freshmen Alliesha Easley (Cordova) and Bianca Thomas (Henderson). Tennessee does not have any players from the Magnolia state.  Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross and Lady Vol sophomore Nikki Anosike combined to win a gold medal at the 2005 U19 World Championships. Ross was an assistant coach with the team and Anosike was on the 12-member squad that was voted Team of the Year by USA Basketball.

Rebels Advance In Tournament For First Time Since 1994

            With Sunday’s 88-74 win over TCU, Ole Miss advanced in NCAA Tournament play for the first time since defeating Indiana 83-61 in the 1994 Mideast Region. Ole Miss is 16-16 overall in NCAA Tournament play and 1-2 under current head coach Carol Ross.

The Series

            Today’s game will be the 38th meeting between Ole Miss and Tennessee, with the Lady Vols leading the series 30-7. Tennessee has won 12-straight meetings dating back to Feb. 4, 1996, when the Rebels knocked off the Lady Vols 78-72 in Oxford. The two teams have met one time in NCAA Tournament play with the Rebel prevailing 63-60 in the 1985 NCAA Tournament. The following is the series history:

Ross Versus Tennessee.  Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross owns an 1-19 mark against Tennessee as a coach, including an 0-4 record since becoming the head coach at Ole Miss. As a player at Ole Miss, Ross went 0-3 while wearing the Red and Blue.

Rebels In The Elite Eight

            Ole Miss is making its fifth appearance in the Elite Eight and is looking for its first trip to the Final Four. The Rebels are 0-4 in previous Elite Eight appearances and are making their first Elite Eight sighting since 1992. The following are Ole Miss’ Elite Eight experiences:

1985: Western Kentucky   L, 72-68

1986: Texas  L, 66-63

1989: Auburn*  L, 77-51

1992: Southwest Mo. St.  L, 94-71

*Current Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross was a member of the 1989 Auburn staff when the Tigers denied the Rebels a trip to the Final Four.

Dynamic Duo

            Ole Miss guards Ashley Awkward and Armintie Price have proven to be a tenacious tandem in the 2007 NCAA Tournament. Awkward and Price are both averaging nearly 20 points per game in the tournament with Price turning in 26.7 tallies and Awkward is not far behind with 19.7 points per game. The duo have both put up over 20 points in each of the last two games with Price pouring in a game-high 31 points in the Rebels’ win over Oklahoma in the Sweet 16 and Awkward dropping in a career-best 25 versus the Sooners.

Turnovers Equal Points

            The Rebels have made a living off their defense, forcing their NCAA Tournament opponents in to a combined 78 turnovers through the first three games. While taking away 78 possessions from their foes, the Rebels have capitolized on them by tallying 110 points off of the turnovers.

Ole Miss-Oklahoma Notes

Ole Miss posted 90 points in the win over the Sooners, marking the eighth time this season they have scored 90 or more points in a game.

The Rebels are averaging 89.0 points per game in NCAA Tournament play.

Ole Miss senior guard Armintie Price collected five steals versus Oklahoma, which ties the Ole Miss NCAA Tournament record.

With the five steals, Price became the second player in NCAA history to record over 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 400 assists and 400 steals in a career, joining Cheryl Miller.

Price turned a UD Arena record 31 points versus the Oklahoma, joining OU’s Courtney Paris as the Arena record-holders for points in a women’s NCAA Tournament game.

With 10 rebounds to go along with her 31 points, Price tallied her 15th double-double of the season and the 57th of her career.

Senior guard Ashley Awkward poured in a career-high 25 points in the win over Oklahoma. Awkward had previously scored 23 points versus UAB and Arkansas this season. Awkward has now scored 20 or more points six times this season, including each of the last two games.

Awkward knocked down a career-high 12 free throws on a career-high 16 attempts.

Freshman guard Alliesha Easley dished a career-high four assists to go along with her 12 points.

Ole Miss Appears In Sweet Sixteen For First Time Since 1992

            By knocking off defending national champion Maryland in Tuesday’s second round of play, the Rebels advanced to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1992 and the first time since the tourney field expanded to 64 teams. The Rebels have made seven previous trips to the Sweet Sixteen and four showings in the Elite Eight, but have never advanced to a Final Four.

Rebels Charitable Versus Terps

            While shooting just 62 percent from the foul line for the season, Ole Miss was stellar from the charity stripe in its 89-78 defeat of Maryland in the second round. The Rebels connected on 24-of-27 from the foul line, including making 20-of-22 in the second half to preserve their lead. Senior guard Armintie Price shoots under 60 percent for the season, but made 10-of-11, while senior guard Ashley Awkward hit all seven of her attempts.

Ole Miss Shows Maryland The Door

            Maryland's second round loss to Ole Miss Tuesday night ties an NCAA record for the earliest exit by a defending national champion who qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Notre Dame (2001 champion) and Purdue (1999 champion) both lost in the second round in the following year.  Notre Dame lost, 89-50, to Tennessee on Mar. 23, 2002, while Purdue fell, 76-74, to Oklahoma on Mar. 25, 2000.  Old Dominion, the 1985 champion, did not qualify for the 1986 field.

Ole Miss-Maryland Nuggets

The win over No. 6/6 Maryland was the Rebels third victory over a ranked opponent this season.

Ole Miss forced Maryland into a season-high 29 turnovers, 20 of those miscues came in the first half. The 29 turnovers surpassed the 26 turnovers committed by the Terrapins against Ole Miss on Nov. 25, 2006.

Ole Miss led 47-30 at the half. The Rebels 47 point first half output was the most a Maryland opponent has scored this season.

Ole Miss jumped out to and 20-6 lead with just under 13:30 to go in the first half. The Rebels led by as many as 23 points in the opening period. The 23-point deficit was the most Terrapins have trailed all season.

Ole Miss had two players score 20 or more points for the first time since Awkward (23) and Price (30) turned the trick against Arkansas in double overtime on Feb. 4, 2007. The last time it happened in regulation prior to the Maryland game was on Dec. 2, 2006 against Illinois, Price (34) and Easley (25).

Maryland’s 89-78 loss to Ole Miss snaps a 31-game win streak against non-conference opponents.  The Terps’ last loss to a non-conference team was an 80-75 decision to then-No. 1 ranked Tennessee, 80-75, on Nov. 26, 2005 in the championship game of the Paradise Jam in the Virgin Islands. 

Ole Miss’ 89 points tonight are the most against Maryland in a non-conference game since Miami (then a BIG EAST member) scored 97 on Dec. 29, 2002. 

Maryland outrebounded Ole Miss, 46-29, marking only the second time this season the Terps lost when outrebounding an opponent.  They entered the game 26-1 when outrebounding their opponents.  The only loss came on Jan. 28, 2007 at home against North Carolina when the Terps held a 50-38 edge on the glass, but lost the game 84-71.

Rebels Versus Dayton Regional

            The Rebels have one familiar foe on the opposite side of the Dayton bracket in Tennessee and one unfamiliar foe in Marist. Ole Miss has faced Tennessee 37 previous times, with the Lady Vols holding a 30-7 advantage, including an 81-69 loss to UT earlier this season. Head coach Carol Ross owns a 1-19 all-time mark against Tennessee. On the other hand, neither Ross nor Ole Miss has ever faced Marist.

ESPN2 Names Price Powerade Player Of The Game

            Ole Miss senior guard Armintie Price poured in 28 points off of 9-of-12 shooting from the field and 10-of-11 shooting from the foul line in Ole Miss’ second round win over Maryland. For her efforts, ESPN2 named her the Powerade Player of the Game for the second-straight game. Price also picked up the honors in Ole Miss’ first round win over TCU.

Awkward All Over The Court

            Ole Miss senior guard Ashley Awkward was all over the court for the Rebels in their win over Maryland. Awkward turned in 22 points off of 7-of-19 shooting from the field, knocking down many timely baskets to help keep the Terps at bay. Awkward hit one three-point basket and drilled all seven of her free throw attempts. She also dished four assists and collected a game-high four steals for Ole Miss, while only having two miscues of her own.

SEC Makes Up One Quarter Of The Sweet Sixteen

            With four of the remaining 16 teams left in the 2007 NCAA Tournament, the Southeastern Conference has firmly planted itself among the elite in women’s college basketball. Tennessee, Georgia and LSU along with Ole Miss each advanced, while Vanderbilt exited in the second round giving the SEC a 9-1 mark through two rounds. The Atlantic Coast Conference has three remaining teams in the field with Duke, North Carolina and Florida State.

Rebels Knock Off TCU Despite Poor Foul Shooting

            Despite getting the foul line an amazing 40 times in their opening round win over TCU, the Rebels only managed to capitolize on 21 trips. However, it proved to be enough as the Lady Frogs only got 16 free shots and made 12 of them. Two Ole Miss players took 10 or more free throws, while a third player attempted seven.

Ole Miss-TCU Tidbits

Ole Miss’ 88-74 win over TCU marks its first win in the NCAA Tournament since the Rebels defeated Indiana, 83-61, in the 1994 Midwest Region from Oxford, Miss.

Ole Miss improved to 3-0 all-time against TCU and 16-16 overall in NCAA Tournament play. 

With the win, Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross earned her first NCAA Tournament victory as head coach of the Rebels, improving to 1-2 all-time as Ole Miss head coach. 

Ole Miss senior guard Armintie Price recorded a team-high six assists, upping her career assists total from 398 to 404. 

Ole Miss’ 88 points are the most scored in an NCAA Tournament game in school history.  The previous high was 86 points set in the 1983 Mideast Region against Florida State from Oxford, Miss. 

Ole Miss senior guard Armintie Price finished with 21 points.  It was her 12th 20-point game of the season and 38th of her career. 

Ole Miss’ 46 rebounds are the fourth most in an NCAA Tournament game in school history. 

Ole Miss outscored TCU 39-11 on points of turnovers and 25-6 in second chance points. 

Ole Miss held TCU leading scorer Adrianne Ross to nine points.  Averaging 17.5 points per game, Ross was held under double digit points for only the fifth time this season. 

The game had seven ties and five lead changes.

Five Rebels Make NCAA Debut

            Five Ole Miss players saw their first NCAA Tournament action in Sunday’s first round win over TCU. Freshman guard Alliesha Easley was the only member of the starting five making her debut. Easley finished with 14 points and two assists. Making their debuts off the bench were junior forward Carla Bartee, sophomore center Shawn Goff and freshmen guards Shantell Black and Bianca Thomas. Goff joined Easley as one of five Rebels in double figures with 10 points of her own, while Bartee dropped in eight. Black had two points and four assists, while Thomas had a bucket and two rebounds.

Rebels Share The Ball

            All nine players who played in the win over TCU scored with five players posting double digits and two more finishing with eight points. Senior guard Armintie Price led the way with 24 points, while freshman guard Alliesha Easley dropped in 14. Senior guard Ashley Awkward tallied 12, junior forward Danetra Forrest had 11 and sophomore center Shawn Goff got 10. Senior forward Jada Mincy and junior forward Carla Bartee each chipped in eight points. Ole Miss improved to 11-4 on the season when four or more players post double figures.

Academic Field Trip

            The Rebels took advantage of their first round location of Hartford to make a trip over to Bristol for a tour of the ESPN studios. With three broadcast journalism majors on the squad in juniors Danetra Forrest and Carla Bartee and sophomore Brandi Tipton, the trip was very educational. Both Forrest and Bartee have had stints working in the Ole Miss Athletics Media Relations office during Rebel football games, with Bartee having interned for ESPN for one game.

Price Named Kodak Finalist

            Ole Miss senior guard Armintie Price was named to the 2007 WBCA/Kodak All-America Region 3 Team on March 8. By making the Region 3 Team, Price is now one of 52 finalist for the prestigious All-America Team. Only 10 players make the team, the longest standing All-America team to be named in women’s college basketball. Price is one of three players in Ole Miss history to earn All-Region honors two times joining Peggie Gillom (current associate head coach) and her sister Jennifer Gillom. Only Jennifer Gillom has gone on to be named a Kodak All-American in the 33-year history of women’s basketball at Ole Miss.

Ole Miss Dances Again

            By picking up the No. 7 seed in the 2007 NCAA Tournament, Ole Miss is making its 17th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament’s 26-year history. The Rebels are also making their third appearance under fourth-year head coach Carol Ross after playing the WNIT last season. Ole Miss’ 17 tournament appearances tie for 17th most in the nation. Tennessee is the only team to have made an appearance in all 26 tournaments.

Ross No Stranger To NCAA Play

            Ole Miss head coach Carol Ross is no stranger to the Big Dance. In 12 seasons as the head coach at the University of Florida, Ross guided the Lady Gators to nine NCAA Tournament appearances. Ross’ 1997 Lady Gator squad finished with a trip to the NCAA Championship Elite Eight. When Ross’ Rebels took the court against Texas Christian, it marked her 12th NCAA Tournament appearance as a head coach in her 16-year career.

Ole Miss vs. NCAA Championship Teams

            Ole Miss is 108-120 (.471 winning percentage) versus schools in the 2007 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. The following is a list of the schools from the tournament and Ole Miss’ record against them. Ole Miss is 0-1 versus second round foe Maryland.

Price Named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Unanimous All-SEC First Team

            Ole Miss’ Armintie Price was named Defensive Player of the Year according to a poll of the league coaches. Price was also tabbed a unanimous First-team honoree by both the SEC coaches and the Associated Press. Price ranks among the top five in the league in scoring (18.5), rebounding (9.0), 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. 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 1,194 boards in her career, including 716 on the defensive end.

Easley Named To SEC All-Freshman Team  

            Rebel guard Alliesha Easley was the seventh Ole Miss player to earn a spot on the All-Freshman team, following in teammate Armintie 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.

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 2,135 points, 1,194 rebounds, 414 assists and 401 steals. She joins Cheryl Miller, Chamique Holdsclaw, Tamika Catchings and Sophia Young. In addition, Price and Miller are the only players to have over 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds 400 assists and 400 steals.

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 19-straight games, averaging 16.0 points over the span, which ranked fifth in the conference in SEC games only.

Grand Theft

            Senior guard Armintie Price recently became the NCAA leader in steals per game at 3.8. Price has tallied 129 steals in 34 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 in February. She had nine steals in the SEC Tournament. Price picked up five or more steals in nine 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 three players to lead her team in all four major statistical categories, joining Evansville’s Rebekah Parker and Middle Tennessee’s Chrissy Givens. Price is the Ole Miss leader in scoring (18.8), rebounding (9.0), 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 50 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 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.

Easley Heats Up

            Ole Miss freshman guard Alliesha Easley is making her presence felt on the court. Easley, who has started all 34 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 21-of-34 games this season. She ranks third on the team in scoring with 11.2 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 543 times themselves, Ole Miss has forced their opponents into 842 turnovers on the season, for an average of 24.8 blunders per game by their opponents. Ole Miss’ tunover margin of +8.8 is the highest in the SEC. The Rebels have forced 247 turnovers in their last nine games combined and have caused 30 or more by their opponents on six occasions this season, including two games with 40 or more turnovers.

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 16 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 49 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 several 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 sixth 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 eight games, including a 99-point performance at UAB and versus Fordham. Three players are averaging double figures with Armintie Price leading the way with 18.8 points per game, along with Ashley Awkward (12.8)  and Alliesha Easley (11.2.)

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 43.7 rebounds per game through 34 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 7.4 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 7.5 boards are ninth 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 opened their watch lists for the 2006-07 season. Recently, she was named to the Wooden Award National Ballot, which lists the top 16 players up for the award. Price has also been named to the Naismith Award Midseason Top 30, 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 34 games the Rebels have picked up 469 steals with all 14 players recording at least three steals. The Rebels rank second in the NCAA with 13.8 steals per game. Senior Armintie Price leads the way with 129 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 68 steals and tied her career-high with six at UAB. Senior Jada Mincy,  freshman Shantell Black, sophomore Shawn Goff and freshman Alliesha Easley, are also at 40+ with 53, 49, 49 and 46 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 12.6 minutes per game is averaging 5.6 points and 2.8 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.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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