For the first time in recent history, two Bahamian female collegiate basketball players in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I played against each other. The players were University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Lady Rebels point guard Valerie Nesbitt and Annya Moss, a guard for the Mississippi State University Devilettes. Nesbitt and her team got the better of Moss and the Devilettes as the Rebels won the Saturday afternoon affair, 86-46, on their home court, at the Pavilion in Oxford, Mississippi.
To take it a step further, a Bahamian head coach was on the sidelines in the person of Yolett “Coach Yo” McPhee-McCuin, who is at the helm for the Lady Rebels. This was the Lady Rebels’ fourth straight win, and the first time they have a 4-0 win/loss record since the 2016-17 season.
Nesbitt finished with five points in the win. The senior finished the afternoon shooting 2-for-6 from the field in 19 minutes of play. She missed her only shot from deep. She added three assists and two rebounds to go along with two swipes.
After scoring 16 points in their opening game on Tuesday night, Moss managed to score nine points in 28 minutes of play this time around. She had a tough afternoon, shooting 3-for-12 from the field, including 1-for-7 from beyond the three-point arc. She added two rebounds, one assist and a block.
Moss and the Devilettes are now 0-2 on the season.
The Devilettes only utilized seven players as McPhee-McCuin’s squad made life tough for them with stingy defense. The Devilettes shot just 16-for-52 from the field, 30 percent.
The Lady Rebels sent a message from the onset as they set out to defend their home court. They jumped out to an early 11-0 lead with 7:25 remaining in the first quarter. That run included four steals. The Rebels went on to rack up 19 steals in the game.
Nesbitt was subbed into the game with 4:32 remaining in the first quarter. Her first points came on an and-one play with three seconds remaining in that quarter. The made layup and free throw put her team up 21-15 to end the first quarter.
Moss’ first points, a three-pointer, came with 5:02 remaining in the second quarter. The Lady Rebels led 32-21 at that point.
After an 11-10 second quarter advantage, the Lady Rebels led 32-25 at the half. In the second half, Nesbitt and her team turned up their defensive intensity, outscoring the Devilettes, 54-21, the rest of the way.
After the game, McCuin-McPhee said that she is happy they can play basketball during this time.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity we had to play this game,” said McPhee-McCuin. “I don’t take it for granted. I understand the environment we’re in… happy with our defensive effort in the second half.”
Leading the way for the Lady Rebels was Shakira Austin with 19 points on 8-for-11 shooting.
Moss’ teammate, Zakiya Mahoney, led the way for them with 17 points.
This is the fourth straight game that Ole Miss held opponents under 60 points. Their defense is only allowing 47.8 points per game. Offensively, they have scored 80 points or more in three of their four games and remain undefeated.
Ole Miss will complete its five-game homestand on Tuesday, December 15, when they play the Jackson State University Tigers at 6 p.m.
Moss and the Devilettes return to action to play the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (2-2) at the Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe, Louisiana, on Tuesday, December 15, at 6 p.m.
The post Nesbitt, Ole Miss defeat Moss and the Devilettes appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/nesbitt-ole-miss-defeat-moss-and-the-devilettes/
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