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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
10-16 (3-11SEC)
Alabama
15-12 (4-10SEC)
Ole Miss' Comeback Attempt Falls Short At Alabama
2/20/2011 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 20, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Trailing by as many as 23 late in the first half at Alabama, Ole Miss battled back to pull to within one with 8:02 left in the second half, but the Crimson Tide hung on for the 61-52 win.
After closing the gap to one, 46-45, on a free throw, Ole Miss managed just one field goal over the final 6:08 of the game. Alabama led by 23, 32-9, with 4:15 left in the first half.
With the loss, Ole Miss fell to 10-16 overall (3-11 SEC) while Alabama improved to 15-12 overall (4-10 SEC). The Rebels were without two of their starters Sunday afternoon in Kayla Melson (for the fifth consecutive game) and Pa'Sonna Hope.
Byrd recorded her second double-double of the year, and fifth of her career, as she finished with 16 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. Shae Nelson scored 13 while Valencia McFarland added 12.
Alabama used a 20-4 run and opened up an 18-point lead, 25-7. The Rebels went scoreless for nearly six minutes during that span until LaTosha Laws hit a jumper to end the run with 6:30 left in the half.
The Rebels trailed at the half, 36-20. Byrd led Ole Miss at the break with six points and 10 boards. The Rebels shot 25.8 percent (8-of-31) from the floor while the Crimson Tide shot 48.5 percent (16-of-33).
Ole Miss came out in the second half and cut Alabama's lead to nine, 44-35, with 11:52 left to play. The Rebels closed the gap to one, 46-45, on Byrd's free throw with 8:02 remaining.
Ole Miss will host No. 4/4 Tennessee on Thursday at 7 p.m. The game will be televised by SportSouth and will be senior day for the Rebels' two seniors, Kayla Melson and Tori Slusher. Former Ole Miss Rebel Alliesha Easley, a junior last season who did not play this year due to injuries, will also be honored.
