Mississippi State
15-10 (3-7SEC)
Ole Miss
10-13 (4-6SEC)
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS | 24 | 41 | 65 |
| UM | 51 | 22 | 73 |
Second Half Rally Falls Short As MSU Loses To Mississippi, 73-65
February 14, 2008 | Women's Basketball
? Official Statistics
? Official Statistics (PDF)
OXFORD, Miss. ? A spirited second-half rally fell short for the Mississippi State women's basketball team Thursday night. After trailing by 27 points at halftime, the Lady Bulldogs battled hard, before falling 73-65 to archrival Mississippi at Tad Smith Coliseum.
MSU fell to 15-10 overall and 3-7 in Southeastern Conference play. Ole Miss improved to 10-13 and 4-6. The Lady Bulldogs failed to complete a season sweep, after posting a 57-52 win earlier in the season in Starkville. MSU also saw a two-game win streak snapped in this building.
The Lady Bulldogs had a very tough time of things in the game's opening half. Ole Miss shot an amazing 56.7 percent from the floor and bolted out to a 51-24 advantage at halftime. The contest was nip-and-tuck early. Ole Miss actually held a 15-13 lead before ripping off a 27-2 run. The Lady Bulldogs managed only one fieldgoal during that 10 minute, 12 second stretch. By the time Marneshia Richard rammed home a 3-point basket, the hosts held a 42-18 advantage.
During the big run, Ole Miss opened up an advantage in the foul column. MSU also lost the services of Alexis Rack, who received two technical fouls and was ejected with 3:45 remaining in the opening half. A total of five technical fouls were called in the contest.
MState battled past all of the early adversity to play one of its better halves of the season in the game's second half. The Lady Bulldogs got into an offensive rhythm and also turned up the defensive pressure, forcing 17 second-half turnovers.
In the first two minutes, the Lady Bulldogs quickly chopped seven points off the halftime deficit. Later, a 14-0 run saw the Lady Bulldogs closed within six points with 7:54 remaining to play. The Lady Bulldogs actually cut the lead to 65-62 with a little over three minutes remaining. MSU missed its next five shots from the floor and turned the ball over twice, being unable to force the tie.
For the contest, the Lady Bulldogs shot 33.9 percent from the floor, hitting 21 of 62 shots. MSU was 7 of 22 from 3-point range and 16 of 23 at the foul line. Ole Miss shot 44.4 percent, hitting 24 of 54 shots. The Lady Rebels were 7 of 17 from 3-point range and 18 of 26 from the foul line.
Ole Miss held a 43-35 advantage in rebounding. The Lady Bulldogs had 15 assists and 22 turnovers, while the Lady Rebels had 16 assists and 26 turnovers.
Tyshekia Grimes, who fouled out with just under four minutes left in regulation, led MSU with 15 points ? all in the second half and 8 rebounds. Marneshia Richard added 13 points, while Mary Kathryn Govero scored 11 points and Donnisha Tate scored 10 points.
Shawn Goff paced Ole Miss with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Elizabeth Robertson scored 14 points, while Bianca Thomas added 13 points and Shantell Black scored 11 points. Carla Bartee also had 9 rebounds.
MState returns home Sunday afternoon to host 24^th -ranked Georgia in a 2 p.m. contest from Humphrey Coliseum.
