Jared Burleson I The Daily Mississippian
To no one’s surprise, the second half of games has been miserable for the Ole Miss women’s basketball team (10-16, 1-11 Southeastern Conference). Losers of its last six conference games, Ole Miss has been outscored in every game. The Rebels let chances against LSU, Florida and Tennessee all slip away because of big plays and runs allowed during the second half of those games.
Yet another ranked team will be coming into town tonight in the No. 16 Texas A&M Aggies (20-6, 10-2 SEC).
This will be a tough challenge for Ole Miss, as Texas A&M has been a premier defensive team this season. The Aggies allow an SEC third-best 56.8 points per game, while the Rebels rank last, giving up 76.9 points per game. However, the Rebels score 73.7 points compared to the Aggie’s 68.4 scoring offense. Defense will definitely be key for the Rebels.
There is more to this matchup than just the actual game itself. The Ole Miss women’s basketball team will partner with Baptist Memorial Hospital for its annual Tickled Pink at the Tad Pad game. The Rebels will wear special pink uniforms and shoes, and all fans are encouraged to wear pink to support the cause.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at the Tad Pad.
Impact Players
Texas A&M: Sophomore shooting guard Courtney Walker is primed to become one of the best guards in the SEC for years to come. After being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2013, Walker has responded by leading her team in scoring with over 14 points and almost three assists per game.
Ole Miss: Senior point guard Valencia McFarland plays her heart out each and every night. With just two home games remaining, McFarland is eager to get a couple more wins under her belt as the schedule gets a little bit easier for the Rebels. Although Walker will be a tough defensive assignment, McFarland definitely has the speed and quickness to keep up with her. One stat to look out for is assists. McFarland ranks second in the SEC with 6.4 assists per game, only 0.4 behind Texas A&M sophomore point guard Jordan Jones.
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss women’s basketball follow @browningstubbs and @thedm_sports on Twitter.
