The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Cruise To 84-22 Win Over Christian Brothers
11/6/2009 | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, Miss. - All-SEC senior guard Bianca Thomas scored a game-high 22 points and Ole Miss featured three players in double figures on its way to a convincing 84-22 exhibition victory over Christian Brothers Thursday evening from Tad Smith Coliseum.
Junior Kayla Melson finished with 12 points and a game-high seven assists, finishing just one helper shy of the entire Bucs' team. Sophomore Nikki Byrd tallied 10 points and helped the Rebels dominate play in the post, as Ole Miss held a 44-8 edge in points in the paint.
Christian Brothers guard Jessica Green paced the Bucs with six points and was one of only two players to score more than three points. Tameka Wooten pulled down a team-high five rebounds.
The Bucs managed just nine field goals for the game and finished the contest shooting 20 percent from the field.
On offense, the Rebels shot 53.3 percent from the field on 32-of-60 shooting and connected on 30 percent of their three-pointers. Thomas paced the Rebels from down town and finished the game 4-for-8 in that department.
Ole Miss opened up a 10-2 lead over the first five minutes of the game, but saw its lead quickly evaporate midway through the half as Christian Brothers fought within three points at 12-9 after a three-pointer from Green.
The Rebels answered with a 16-0 run over the next six minutes to take a 28-9 lead with just under six minutes remaining. Thomas capped the run with a layup following a steal at midcourt by Rebel guard Shantell Black.
Ole Miss caused 30 CBU turnovers and turned those miscues into 36 Rebel points. Ole Miss finished with four players who collected at least three steals.
"Defensively, our kids got up and applied great ball pressure," Ole Miss head coach Renee Ladner said. "We really emphasize defense and I was really pleased with our effort tonight."
Ole Miss continued to build its lead through the second half and limited the Bucs to just 10 points in the final stanza. In fact, the Rebel defense held Christian Brothers scoreless for the final 6:20 of the game on its way to a 62-point victory.
Ole Miss opens the 2009-10 season Nov. 13 when the Rebels welcome Southeastern Louisiana to Tad Smith Coliseum at 3:30 p.m.
