The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Drop 64-61 Overtime Decision To UALR
12/17/2008 | Women's Basketball
Trojan guard Anshel Cooper opened the extra period with a baseline jumper to put UALR ahead 56-54 in the opening minute. The Rebels chipped away at the lead and cut the deficit to one point midway through overtime following a pair of free throws from Rebel senior Shawn Goff. Cooper, however, answered on the other end with another jumper on the ensuing possession to put UALR back ahead by three points with just under two minutes remaining. UALR managed just two points of its own over the final 1:51, but the Trojan defense held the Rebels scoreless until junior Bianca Thomas sunk two free throws with four seconds left on the clock to cut the Trojan lead to 63-61. After UALR forward Chastity Reed made one of two free throws to put the Trojans back ahead by three points, Thomas nearly sent the game into a second overtime as her half court heave hit off the left side of the rim before bouncing harmlessly to the floor. Ole Miss (7-3) looked to have the game under control with just over two minutes left in regulation when Thomas intercepted a pass at the Trojan free throw line, dribbled the length of the floor and drove in for an easy layup to put the Rebels ahead 54-49. Just over a minute later, Kim Sitzman attempted a deep three-pointer that hit off the back iron and into the hands of Thomas. Rebel guard Shantell Black was intentionally fouled and sent to the free throw line with 51 seconds on the clock. After Black missed the front end, Asriel Rolfe cut the Ole Miss lead to two points at 54-52 as she connected on a three-pointer with 27 seconds left to play. The Rebels inbounded the ball to Black, and she was once again sent to the free throw line for a one-and-one situation. Black was unable to hit the initial free throw, giving the Trojans a chance to either tie the game or win it with a three-pointer. Cooper capitalized on that opportunity and essentially sent the game into overtime with a mid-range jumper to even the score at 54 points apiece. Like she had nearly done at the end of overtime, Thomas almost won it in regulation as her leaner in the lane at the buzzer rolled around the rim before spinning off and falling to the ground. Goff led the way for Ole Miss on the offensive end as she finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots for her second consecutive double-double. Thomas added 16 points and five rebounds, while Black finished with 10 points and four assists. Reed scored 18 points to pace the Trojans, while Rolfe and Cooper finished with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Ole Miss took its largest lead of the second half at 45-38 at the 11:29 mark, but the Trojans closed out regulation with a 16-9 run to send the contest into overtime. UALR shot 33.3 percent from the field in the extra session, while holding the Rebels without a field goal on 0-for-4 shooting. The Rebels return to action Saturday at 4 p.m. when Ole Miss travels to UCF to take on the Knights in the UCF Tournament. Ole Miss will also face Wake Forest Sunday at 2 p.m. on the final day of the event.
