Dec. 2, 2007

Complete Box Score in PDF Format

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Mississippi State scored 44 of their 92 points in the paint, and out-rebounded Memphis 57-34 in a 92-57 victory in the Elma Roane Fieldhouse, Sunday.

Memphis came out with some spunk early, sprinting out to a 13-6 lead, due in part to six points from Aroha Jennings. Mississippi State would find its balance and immediately answer with a 9-0 run to take the lead at 14-13 with 14:28 to play. The Lady Bulldogs would hold that lead briefly, as Memphis answered back off a three-point field goal from Alysse Davis, followed by a jumper from Alex Winchell. But the MSU coaching staff had seen enough and told the team to start pounding the ball inside, where Imesia Jackson started a 24-7 run that pushed the Mississippi State lead to 39-27 with 6:46 to play. Alexis Rack then went to work on the outside, hitting her first of four three-point field goals on the night, adding two more jumpers to push the Bulldog lead to 53-35 at the break.

"You have to give Mississippi State credit. They did a very good job executing the game plan," Head Coach Blair Savage-Lansden said. "They're a very good team. They're not extremely tall, their tallest player is a guard, but they just execute well. They're playing on a mission and it's very evident as their top three players are averaging double-digits for them. The bottom line is we lost the battle of the boards. They annihilated us on the boards. We knew that was offensive rebounding was a strength of theirs, but boxing out is not, they just go get it and outwork you for it. They almost had as many offensive rebounds as we had total rebounds and then on defense, they played our characteristics, and we didn't play theirs."

Memphis was out-rebounded 25-14 at the half, in part due to junior forward Ashley Thornton picking up her third foul on the offensive end.

"Ashley has to understand that as our leading scorer and rebounder, she's first on the scouting report," Savage said. "She's going to draw two and three to her and she's got to kick it out and then go and rebound or go and run the floor. It's a compliment to her that they're doing that, now we need to work that to our advantage."

The second half was more balanced offensive and rebounding from Mississippi State, as the Lady Bulldogs closed out the game, 92-57. Rack led all players with 20 points, while Jackson finished with 17. Marneshia Richard added 10 points, six assists and four steals in the victory.

Memphis was led in scoring by Paris Leonard, who hit 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting. Aroha Jennings finished with 11 points and five rebounds, but only five Memphis players posted an offensive board in the loss.

The Lady Tigers will break from competition to focus on exams and practice before hosting Belmont University, Dec. 14th, at 7:00 p.m.