Turnovers.
It didn’t matter if it was in the first or the fourth quarter, Mississippi University for Women’s women’s basketball coach Howard White Jr. couldn’t escape the giveaways.
Just when it looked like the Owls were going to build on an 11-2 lead in the first quarter, they committed three turnovers in their half-court offense that allowed Rust College to go on a 12-0 run that turned the tide.
But The W used a stretch of nearly four minutes without a turnover at the end of the third quarter to cut Rust College’s lead to one point. The 9-0 spurt had White Jr. up and clapping and exhorting his players in the huddle, “We are not losing on our home floor.”
Unfortunately, those pesky turnovers popped up again at the start of the fourth quarter and proved to be the undoing of The W.
Keimeshia Walker scored a game-high 31 points and had nine steals to lead Rust College to a 63-53 victory against The W at Pohl Gymnasium.
“We’ll go back to the drawing board and we will start looking at what we need to do to rectify that problem,” White Jr. said. “A lot of our turnovers are unforced and we’re just throwing the ball away. My guards have to play better. We have four guards who can handle the ball. We’re going to rectify that problem or you’re going to be on the bench.”
The W (5-2) committed four turnovers in the first 2 minutes, 23 seconds of the fourth quarter after it had cut the deficit to 42-41. Turnovers denied the Owls two chances to take the lead. The Bobcats used a 7-0 run to open the fourth quarter to build a cushion that was never seriously challenged the rest of the way due in large part to 34 turnovers.
The W had 27 turnovers in a 94-58 loss to Rust College (6-0) on Nov. 15 in Holly Springs. White Jr. said the Bobcats used the same pressure –primarily a 1-2-2 — that they used in the first game. Rust College also used some half-court traps, but White Jr. thought his team committed way too many unforced and careless turnovers. On numerous occasions, the Bobcats came from behind to knock balls away from the Owls. Rust College also had several steals after The W had apparently secured possession after a defensive rebound.
White Jr. also said his guards also have to do a better job of going to the basketball and bringing it up the floor.
Bailey, Wallace, and Hinkson scored on drives at the end of the third quarter as the run appeared to energize the Owls. The baskets suggested The W was going to return to the attacking brand of basketball White Jr. wants his team to play, but the Owls couldn’t maintain it thanks in part to the press.
“We just have to play better, but I think we will,” White Jr. said.
The W lost despite outshooting Rust College (41.3 percent to 36.1 percent) from the field and holding a 43-33 rebounding edge, which included 11 offensive rebounds in the second half. Unfortunately, a 15-for-27 effort from the free-throw line (55.6 percent) compounded the Owls’ problems.
“We’ll shoot free throws until their eyes turn green,” White Jr. said.
Former West Point High School standout Qiayon Bailey led The W with 17 points. She also had 10 rebounds. Tenazhia Hinkson had 10 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals. Former Columbus High standout Rokila Wallace had 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, and five steals, but she also had 10 turnovers. All of the Owls’ starters had at least three turnovers.
The W will play Judson at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Marion, Alabama. It will play host to Wesleyan College at 2 p.m. Saturday as part of a doubleheader with The W men’s basketball team.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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