UM Women’s Basketball Opens Insell Era with Win over Christian Brothers

Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Communications

Five Players in Double Figures for Ole Miss

Behind the strength of five players in double figures, the Ole Miss women’s basketball team open the Matt Insell era with a 74-59 exhibition win over Christian Brothers University on Sunday (Nov. 3) afternoon at the Tad Smith Coliseum

Senior Valencia McFarland led the Rebels with a team-best 15 points, while Tia Faleru posted a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Also in double figures for Ole Miss were freshman Shequila Joseph (12), Diara Moore (11) and Gracie Frizzell (10). Joseph was two rebounds shy of a double-double while Monique Jackson added eight boards off the bench.

“We got the win,” said Insell. It was not as pretty as we wanted it to be, we had some areas in which we let down and that has to get better before we start on Friday, but all in all, I’m glad we got the win and I’m excited to be opening the season on Friday.”

Christian Brothers, who took on Memphis in exhibition action on Saturday, and the Rebels both showed a little rust early, but Ole Miss jumped out to a seven point lead, 19-12, at the 11:21 mark with a triple from Frizzell and a layup from Moore. Holding just a six-point lead midway through the half, Ole Miss closed the first half on a 19-8 run, sparked by going 11-of-15 from the free throw line, to take a 40-23 lead into halftime.

The visitors were able to get the score down to six points, 50-44, at the 11:06 mark of the second half, but the Rebels turned up the defense and that was as close as they would get for the remainder of the contest. Ole Miss held a 54-47 rebounding edge and dished out 18 assists while holding the Buccaneers to just 30 percent (16-of-53) shooting.

Ole Miss opens the 2013-14 regular – season on Friday (Nov. 8) when they welcome Jacksonville State to the Tad Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. and is the first game of a doubleheader with the Ole Miss men’s team. The Rebel men take on Troy at 7:30 p.m.

Season tickets are on sale for the 2013-14 season and can be purchased for just $50. For additional ticket information, go to OleMissTix.com or call the Ole Miss Ticket Office at 1-888-REB-TKTS (732-8587).

Rebel Sidelines Today’s game was the first as a head coach for Ole Miss’ first-year coach Matt Insell. Insell is in his first season at Ole Miss after spending five years as the lead assistant and Kentucky … There was a family connection in this afternoon’s contest as Ole Miss assistant coach Todd Schaefer squared off against his niece Christian Brothers junior guard Ashley Schaefer… Schaefer also was the head coach at Christian Brothers from 1999-2004.