OXFORD, Miss—McNeese women's basketball team was out of sync from the opening tip in its a 96-56 loss to Ole Miss Saturday.
"Hats off to Ole Miss, I thought they played much improved and played with a lot more fight and energy than they have played in their last several games," said head coach Brooks Donald Williams.
What wasn't the best game for the Cowgirls this season, definitely was the best for Ole Miss. McNeese committed a season high 33 turnovers, 21 in the first half alone. The most turnovers in a game for the Cowgirls prior to today's game, was 20 at Tulane two weeks ago. Most of the Cowgirls' turnovers were self inflicted and Ole Miss capitalized on most of the Cowgirl turnovers by scoring 40 points.
Ole Miss, who entered the game with a 57.5 free throw shooting percent, ended the game shooting 87 percent, making 20 of 23.
"I thought we played right into their hands and played very tentative which is uncharacteristic of us. We can't play that way against a team that will play pressure defense and run and jump. It was a multiple of things that didn't go well today," said Williams.
A bright spot for the Cowgirls was the career high 13 points by sophomore
Keara Hudnall who came off the bench to score all her points. Hudnall was 5 of 7 from the field and made three free throws.
Allison Baggett ended the game with 12 points and
Jayln Johnson who got into early foul trouble, dished out a game high five assists.
Things didn't get off to a good start for the Cowgirls and it didn't get any better as the game went on. After Cynthia Rivas gave the Cowgirls their only lead of the game midway through the game, Ole Miss turned up their defensive intensity and put on a full-court press that included double teaming McNeese guard
Jayln Johnson. The Rebels went on a 14-8 run and never looked back and led 31-13 after the first quarter.
Ole Miss opened the second quarter with a three-pointer while the Cowgirls turned the ball over nine times and scored as many points as turnovers by the end of the quarter.
McNeese came out in the third quarter with a lot more energy and it showed by the Cowgirls going on a 9-3 run to start the quarter. McNeese outscored Ole Miss 16-5 midway through the quarter. Ole Miss ended the game by outscoring the Cowgirls 23-14 in the fourth quarter.
The Cowgirls will continue their road swing and will head to Ruston Tuesday for a 6 p.m. game that will be the final game for McNeese prior to the Christmas break.
