OXFORD — Sophomore Shandricka Sessom had a career high 24 points to lead the Ole Miss women’s basketball team to a 97-61 victory against Mississippi Valley in the season opener for both teams Friday afternoon in the 13th annual School Kids game.
The teams played in front of a crowd of 7,407 fans, a new school record, and the largest crowd to see a women’s basketball game in the state of Mississippi.
Classmate Kelsey Briggs joined Sessom in double figures with 12 points, while Erika Sisk had 15 points and rookie Alissa Alston had 12 points in her collegiate debut. Jonell Williams led Ole Miss with nine rebounds, including six on the offensive end.
“Once we settled down and stopped rushing things we were really good,” Insell said. “Once we started moving the ball we were a lot better. That’s something I’m really happy with. Shandricka Sessom, my goodness, she has a chance to be real special, and I tell her that every day.”
Leading 34-29 at halftime, Ole Miss outscored Mississippi Valley State 31-21 in the third quarter en route to its eighth-consecutive season-opening victory.
Ole Miss will play host to Louisiana-Lafayette at 7 tonight. The game will be the first women’s basketball game televised on the SEC Network for the 2015-16 season.
n Alabama 96, Alabama A&M 44: At Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Sophomore Quanetria Bolton had a career-high 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds Friday to lead seven players in double figures.
“I’m really proud of our kids,” Alabama coach Kristy Curry. “We got off to a great start. We played really hard and had a lot of different folks contribute again. We had seven players in double figures. I liked our fast pace and the way we spaced the floor.”
Sophomore Karyla Middlebrook had 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Sophomore Hannah Cook had 14 points, while senior Khadijah Carter added 13. Sophomore Meoshonti Knight, freshman C’Coriea Foy, and freshman Shaquera Wade had 10 points.
Alabama will play host to Appalachian State at 6 p.m. Monday at Foster
Auditorium.
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