CLINTON, Miss. --- The Mississippi College women's basketball snapped a three-game skid as the Lady Choctaws (5-10, 3-9 Gulf South Conference) logged a 60-43 win over the University of West Georgia. UWG falls to 3-15 and 3-9 in the conference.
The victory avenges a 58-57, buzzer-beating setback in Carrollton, Ga., earlier this season and gives MC its first win in the series since Jan. 16, 1993 – snapping a four-game, losing streak.
The Navy and Gold was led by a career first double-double from
Toni Woods. The Lafayette, La., native posted 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to guide the Lady Choctaws efforts. It's the fifth double-digit rebounding effort for the junior this season and her third contest in double figures scoring.
Chloe Roberts and
Carla Clemmons joined the junior tying for tops on the team in scoring with 12 points each. The scoring effort marks the 13th double figure outing for Roberts and the 10th for Clemmons this season.
"I thought the team did a good job at two things – attacking their zone and forcing their shots. We needed something good to happen to us," said head coach
Paul Allen Duke. "We've had a few ball games that have been within range that we just didn't execute and let them get away from us. I hope this got us over the hump. We've improved and we know what to expect heading into the second half of conference play."
MC held a 47-35 advantage on the glass over the Wolves in the contest – the second highest margin this season.
Khadijah Jones tied her a career-high in rebounds with seven – which was third best on the team in the contest – while
Kristen Sampson grabbed eight boards – two off her career-best
and Chloe Roberts recorded a career-high eight rebounds to help spur the effort alongside Woods. The 47 combined rebounds matches a season-high set against Christian Brothers on Dec. 12.
"The last time we played West Georgia they got 35 rebounds against us. They really got us on the offensive glass at their place. We knew we had to do better with rebounds tonight," said Duke. "We've worked really hard at blocking out.
Khadijah Jones has really assisted with depth and played a big part tonight with rebounds. We also got good effort from
Olivia Mabry. She has plays kind of free at times and we have to make sure she settles down. When she did tonight, she got us a big board."
The Lady Choctaws shot 45 percent from the field in the win – marking the third-best percentage this season - while the defense held the Wolves to the lowest, opponent shooting percentage of the season with a 22.2 clip. The percentage surpassed the previous low of 30.6 at nationally-ranked Delta State last Saturday. The defensive effort held West Georgia to a combined 30 points the final three quarters, including four points in the second quarter, as MC outscored it by 18 points after trailing 13-12 after the first 10 minutes.
Terrianna Cave paced UWG with 13 points while A'Kia Harris pulled down a team-best eight rebounds.
Mississippi College returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 23 as it hosts the University of West Alabama. Tip is set for 2 p.m.
