BLUE MOUNTAIN — The Mississippi University for Women women’s and men’s basketball teams split a doubleheader against NAIA member Blue Mountain College on Tuesday night.
Former West Point High School standout Qiayon Bailey scored a career-high 26 points to lead The W women to a 76-67 victory. The win helped the Owls, the No. 1 team in the United States Athletic Association Coaches (USAAC) Poll, improve to 9-2.
Former Victory Christian Academy standout Quin Williams had a season-high 20 points, but The W men’s team lost to Blue Mountain College 77-74.
In the women’s game, Bailey was 11-for-20 from the field. She also had seven rebounds. Former Columbus High standout Rokila Wallace added 23 points on 7-for-14 shooting from the field. She also had four rebounds and two steals.
“The Owls got a good win on the road to beat a tough Blue Mountain team,” The W coach Howard White Jr. said. “We were very aggressive on the offensive end of the floor, scoring most of our field goals in the paint. We got the ball inside and did a great job offensively rebounding the ball. Down the stretch, we were able to make them take a lot of bad shots, which we turned into transitions baskets. Overall, we were dominating on both ends of the floor, executing our offense and communicating on defense.”
As a team, the Owls beat their season average in field goal shooting percentage (28-for-65 from the field, 43.1 percent; 4-for-9 from 3-point range, 44.4 percent).
In the men’s game, Tyree Beason and Harrison Fancher hit 3-pointers down the stretch, and Jonah Simpson helped seal the game from the free-throw line in Blue Mountain College’s 77-74 victory.
“Give MUW credit. They came in and gave us all we wanted, so we’re thankful to come away with a win tonight,” Blue Mountain College coach Jermael Bingham said. “I was proud of how resilient our guys were late in the game. We did just enough to hold on and hopefully this will help us be ready for Dalton State (on) Saturday.”
Simpson led all scorers with 22 points, while Beason, who was 4-for-6 from 3-point range, had 16 for the Toppers (6-2).
Williams paced the Owls (1-9) in scoring for the first time this season in his first start. He was 9-for-10 from the field.
Tavonta Jones added 19 points on 8-for-17 shooting from the field. He also had six rebounds. DJ Clark added 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Owls.
The W shot 46.7 percent (7-for-15) from the free-throw line.
The W women will return to action at 5:30 p.m. Thursday when they play host to Philander Smith College at Pohl Gymnasium.
The W men will return to action at 5 p.m. Monday when they take on Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas.
n Southern Mississippi (men) 81, Millsaps 47: At Hattiesburg, Dominic Magee had a game-high 18 points Tuesday night to lead the Golden Eagles (7-2) to their victory at Reed Green Coliseum.
Southern Miss raced out to a 32-7 lead in the first 11 minutes and cruised to the victory.
Cortez Edwards had 15 points and Tyree Griffin had 10.
The win helps the Golden Eagles continue their best start of the five-year Doc Sadler era. This is the first time Southern Miss has started a season 7-2 or better since the 2011-12 NCAA tournament squad.
“I thought one of the keys for us in the first five minutes was setting the tempo of the game with our defense,” Sadler said. “We should be able to do that with Tyree and Cortez guarding the ball. The 20 assists on 32 made baskets is always good to see as a coach. I’m disappointed in (Millsaps) getting 14 offensive rebounds, so we have to get better at that.”
Ladarius Marshall made the most of his 16 minutes off the bench with 10 points and five rebounds.
“For us to finish this first part of the season and get ready for a six-game road trip, it’s about where I’d thought we’d be,” Sadler said. “We had three games in the middle where we didn’t play well, but maybe we’ve bounced back in the last three with that passion and energy you have to play at.”
Southern Miss will take on Wichita State at 4:30 p.m. Saturday (CBS Sports Network) to kick off a six-game road swing.
n Southern Miss (women) 66, Alcorn State 47: At Hattiesburg, Respect Leaphart had a career-high 17 points to lead the Lady Eagles (6-3) past the Lady Braves (1-7).
Leaphart had two 3-pointers in the first half to help the Lady Eagles build an early lead.
“A returning star was born in Respect Leaphart in the first half,” Southern Miss coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. “Some of her confidence was really restored in her tonight.”
Southern Miss will play host to No. 5 Mississippi State at 6 p.m. Friday.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.