Women's Hoops Notch Win Over Ole Miss

Women’s Hoops Notch Win Over Ole Miss

1/29/2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 22nd-ranked Vanderbilt women’s basketball team used a second-half surge to defeat Southeastern Conference rival Ole Miss, 68-58, Sunday afternoon at Memorial Gymnasium.

Junior Carla Thomas led all scorers with 16 points, while Caroline Williams (15) and Cherish Stringfield (11) were also in double-figures for the Commodores. Senior Nicole Jules grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds in the game, as the Dores outrebounded the Lady Rebels 21-15 in the second half.

Down four at the half, Vanderbilt looked to junior Dee Davis, the SEC’s assist leader. Coaches had hoped to rest the injured left knee of Davis, who sat out the LSU game, but were forced to go to their only true point guard for the final 20 minutes.

Vanderbilt found the aggression they had been lacking during a three-game skid. The Commodores went to the foul line 28 times in Sunday’s game, after having only attempted a total of 18 charity tosses in the three previous games combined. Thomas led VU at the line, knocking down eight of her 10 attempts. Entering Sunday, the Commodores ranked first in the league in free throw percentage but 11th in the league in free throw attempts.

Over 7,500 fans converged on Memorial Gymnasium in an effort to “Jam the Gym,” and were treated to SEC basketball and a host of other entertainment, including a halftime mascot game. Tickets for the game were reduced to one dollar.

Jady Mincy and Armintie Price each scored 12 points for Ole Miss (12-8, 2-5 SEC).

With the win, Vanderbilt (14-7) breaks a three-game losing streak and moves to 3-4 in SEC play. The Commodores travel south to Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Thursday, Feb. 2, for a game with the Crimson Tide.