University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
Mississippi College (Exh.)
Southern Miss defeats Mississippi College 91-73 in exhibition game
11/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 8, 2016
The Southern Miss Women's Basketball team defeated Mississippi College by a score of 91-73 Tuesday night in its first and only exhibition action of the season.
Southern Miss won the opening tip and Jayla King started the scoring with a three ball. She would hit two more threes and lead Southern Miss in scoring and rebounding with 25 points and nine boards, respectively, in 29 minutes.
"My teammates kept giving me the ball in open holes where I could score easy," King said.
The game was tied once for a short 1:39, and the Choctaws led for 32 seconds, but the Lady Eagles spent 37:48 with the lead. Southern Miss' tight defense forced 28 turnovers. Coach Joye Lee-McNelis made it an emphasis all offseason for her team to bring tenacious defense, especially in transition.
"We've got to play defense to try to keep opponents post players off the block, so you've got to be able to plan an up-tempo defense, preferably in the full court and the three quarter court, to try to be able to cause them to take shots that they're out of rhythm taking," McNelis said.
Megan Brown added 13 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes in her first game back from a season back from injury. Brown was excited to hit the floor, but knew there is a lot to work on for the ensuing season.
"I was just really excited and I wasn't even anticipating being that excited, to be honest, but after reflecting I know there's some things to work on," Brown said. "I know I left I lot of points on the board, free throws and those little things that I can contribute, but I was excited to play."
The Lady Eagles will return to Reed Green Coliseum Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. to open the regular season against the University of New Orleans.
