ALEX EDWARDS I The Daily Mississippian
Tia Faleru shoots the ball during the Jacksonville State game Nov. 8.
After getting swept in their three games at the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Ole Miss women’s basketball team will return to the court this weekend with two games against Southeastern Louisiana and Tennessee State.
Ole Miss vs. Southeastern Louisiana
The Rebels (1-4) will face a well-tested Southeastern Louisiana Lion team that has played three teams from the Southland Conference and Tulane. Meanwhile, the Rebels are in desperate need of a win since they have lost four straight games after winning their first game over Jacksonville State. Fun fact: Southeastern Louisiana has three players from the state of Mississippi: forward Nanna Pool from Magnolia, guard Jameika Hoskins from Aberdeen and guard Peaches Anderson from Meridian.
Impact Player – Ole Miss: In just 26 minutes per game, junior power forward Tia Faleru is averaging 3.6 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. There is no question that she has been the best player for the Rebels thus far. In order for the Rebels to get back on the winning side, she is going to have to continue to provide Ole Miss with a post presence. Outside of Faleru, the Rebels don’t have much help down low.
Impact Player – Southeastern Louisiana: Junior guard Symone Miller, who is averaging 17.3 points per game and six assists per game, scored a career-high 35 points in Southeastern Louisiana’s only win of the season against Mobile. After losing three straight games, look for Miller to come out strong and outscore the Rebels.
Ole Miss vs. Tennessee State
With a quick turnaround on Sunday, Ole Miss will face a Tennessee State team that picked up an impressive come-from-behind road victory over Troy last week. The Rebels look to avoid losing another Sunday home game like they did against Central Arkansas. The Lady Tigers, who finished 13-15 a season ago, are led by junior power forward Chelsea Hudson, who led the Tigers in scoring a year ago with 18 points per game.
Impact Player – Ole Miss: Sophomore guard Gracie Frizzell has got to get her shot going for the Rebs. Thus far, Frizzell is shooting 19 percent from the field and has only made 3 of 30 attempts from the three-point line. Matt Insell expects Frizzell to be the leader in three-point field goals this year, as she ranked first on the team last year with 49 threes made. Frizzell must get her shot back if Ole Miss is going to consistently win.
Impact Player – Tennessee State: Junior forward Chelsea Hudson has been the only scoring threat for the Tigers this season averaging 18 points per game. She is the only Tiger averaging double figures this season. Faleru and Jenkins must lock down on her in the post if the Rebels want to win their first Sunday home game of the season. The Rebels were dominated in the points in the paint in their tournament in Hawaii. Winning the battle in the paint is a must against Hudson and the Tigers.
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss women’s basketball, follow @browningstubbs and @thedm_sports on Twitter.
-Browning Stubbs
bbstubbs@go.olemiss.edu
