Lady Rebels need someone to step up
COLUMN: It has sort of been the Ole Miss women’s basketball team’s “thing” this season to get behind early, then make a late run to make games interesting. (more…) (February 11, 2011, Page 6A)
McFarland’s late free throws help lift OM to win
Valencia McFarland scored 21 points and hit two late free throws to seal the victory, and Ole Miss upset No. 23 Arkansas 69-65 on Sunday.
Ole Miss (9-9 overall, 2-4 in the Southestern Conference) rallied from an early 14-2 deficit to snap a four-game losing streak. (January 24, 2011, Page 6)
Lady Rebs’ fast start leads to big win
Early last week Ole Miss women’s basketball coach Renee Ladner expressed her disdain for the way her team had repeatedly fallen behind in games early and said changes would be made.
Her squad responded on Saturday afternoon by jumping on Southeastern Louisiana early en route to a convincing 85-51 victory at the C.M. “Tad” Smith Coliseum.
Ole Miss (6-3 overall) opened the game utilizing a full-court press and it paid dividends throughout the game as the Lady Rebels garnered 32 points off of 24 turnovers. (December 13, 2010, Page 3B)
Ole Miss holds on to clip Colonels
A win is a win, but after the Ole Miss women’s basketball team’s 64-60 victory over Nicholls State on Saturday at C.M. “Tad” Smith Coliesum, head coach Renee Ladner made it clear that her players will have to show improvement if they want to continue to make strides as a team.
After grabbing an 11-point lead minutes into the second half, Ole Miss relaxed and watched as the Colonels rallied to take a 53-49 advantage with 5:47 remaining in the game. (November 22, 2010, Page 5B)
Ole Miss learns lessons in setback
Thursday night’s 72-70 loss to Arizona will serve as a good learning experience for the young Ole Miss women’s basketball squad.
Facing a team that has four returning starters from a year ago and seven letter winners, Ole Miss (2-1 overall) was able to take the lead several times only to see Arizona (3-0) come back and go ahead for good with 16.7 seconds left Soana Lucet’s layup. (November 19, 2010, Page 6A)
Ole Miss rallies twice to claim Classic
Renee Ladner is about as straight of a shooter as they come, and following Ole Miss’ 69-60 victory over Sam Houston State University to claim The Inn at Ole Miss Classic on Saturday, the Lady Rebels coach didn’t sugarcoat what she thought of her team’s performance.
Sure, the team is now 2-0 to start the season, but both wins have been anything but pretty.
Against SHSU, Ole Miss trailed for the entire first half before finally pulling ahead early in the second frame. In the Lady Rebels’ 69-64 win over Jackson State on Friday, Ole Miss had to hold on at the end to preserve the victory. (November 15, 2010, Page 5B)
Lady Rebs rally to top SHSU
After playing a back and forth first half, the Ole Miss Lady Rebels basketball team was able to turn it around in the second half to claim a 69-60 victory over Sam Houston State University in the championship game of The Inn at Ole Miss Classic. (more…) (November 13, 2010)
OM looking for experience in a hurry
When the Ole Miss Lady Rebels take to the hardwood at C.M. “Tad” Smith Coliseum tomorrow to open their 2010 season, head coach Renee Ladner would like for her young squad to be playing like veterans.
While on paper the Lady Rebels’ roster is dominated by inexperience, Ladner is hoping the team’s exhibition game against West Georgia, their scrimmage against Tulane and full-throttle practices in which she’s thrown the freshmen into the fire, will pay off. (November 11, 2010, Page 7)
OM’s Byrd, Melson taking leadership roles
More often than not last season Kayla Melson would at some point during each game crash into something, whether it was the goal standard, the scorer’s table or the sideline chairs.
That’s just how Melson plays the game for the Ole Miss women’s basketball team: It’s all or nothing and she’s never been one to shy away from contact if it meant making a play.
It’s that type of hustle that has made her a natural leader.
This year, Melson will take over a larger role on the team as one of only two players with extensive playing experience.
And with that expanded role comes more responsibility that head coach Renee Ladner believes is more than deserved. (October 20, 2010, Page 8)
OM hoping McFarland hits the court running
To say Ole Miss will be relying on youth and inexperience this season may be one of the greatest understatements of the Lady Rebels’ preseason.
Gone from Ole Miss’ 17-15 women’s hoops squad from a year ago are All-Southeastern Conference guard Bianca Thomas, 3-point sniper Elizabeth Robertson, starting center Katorra Lewis and offensive guard Shantell Black.
What does that mean for the Lady Rebels and head coach Renee Ladner in her third year at the helm of the program?
A lot of opportunities for playing time are up for grabs. (October 8, 2010, Page 7A)
