Ole Miss women’s basketball wins opener in rout

Published 7:19 pm Friday, November 11, 2016

The Ole Miss women’s basketball team started fast and never let up, coasting past Southeastern Louisiana 81-31 in its season opener Friday at the Pavilion.

The Rebels, who led 29-5 after a quarter, got a game-high 16 points from Madinah Muhammad, 14 points each from Taylor Manual and Shelby Gibson and 10 points from Shandricka Sessom. Ole Miss shot 45 percent from the floor while limiting Southeastern Louisiana to just 17 percent from the field in allowing the fewest points in school history.

Taz Stinson’s seven points led Southeastern Louisiana, which made just nine baskets.

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Ole Miss (1-0) owned the paint, scoring 44 of its points from there and outrebounding the Lions (0-1) 53-35 — 22 of those coming on the offensive end — to score 22 second-chance points. Manuel, a forward transfer from Loyola Chicago, Gibson and freshman forward Kate Rodgers combined to go 12 of 20 from the field. Cecilia Muhate and Shequila Joseph each grabbed seven boards.

The Rebels created plenty of extra scoring chances for themselves, forcing 27 turnovers and scoring 28 points off of them. Ole Miss committed 26 turnovers of its own, though the extended lead didn’t make them much of a factor.

Ole Miss will stay home Sunday to take on Lipscomb. Tip is set for 5 p.m.