OXFORD — The University of Mississippi women”s basketball team used a 17-7 run in the final 4 minutes, 40 seconds Wednesday to pull away for a 68-57 victory against Mississippi Valley State at Tad Smith Coliseum.
With the win, Ole Miss improved to 7-3, while MVSU fell to 2-6.
Nikki Byrd led Ole Miss with a season-high 16 points and seven rebounds, while Pa”Sonna Hope recorded her first career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. Kayla Melson and Kenyotta Jenkins each added 10 points and eight rebounds for Ole Miss. Melson also added eight assists and three steals.
Byrd scored Ole Miss” first six points of the second half to help the team take a 35-27 lead. The Devilettes cut the lead to 38-37 with a little more than 14 minutes to play. Ole Miss went on a 9-0 run, capped by a pair of free throws from LaTosha Laws to take a 49-40 lead with 8:27 to play.
After having its lead cut to one with 4:40 to play, Tori Slusher”s jumper put the Rebels on top seven with two minutes to play.
The Rebels shot 35.3 percent (24 of 68) from the floor, while the Devilettes shot 38.5 percent (25-of-65). Ole Miss had a 49-38 rebounding edge, marking the ninth consecutive game it has recorded at least 40 rebounds in a game.
“We didn”t play well or consistently,” Ole Miss coach Renee Ladner said. “Mississippi Valley State can shoot the ball very well and we were gambling. Part of it was probably not having good chemistry with how many lineups we had in. Tonight we tried to find a bright spot and we need to get healthy again. When (freshman point guard) Valencia (McFarland) came in it moved Kayla from the point to the two and it changed the game.”
Ole Miss will play at 1 p.m. Saturday at Central Michigan on Saturday. It will play host to Miami at noon Tuesday. Admission to the Miami game is free.
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