Rice jumped out to a 14-6 lead and a five minute score drought for Southern Mississippi after that found the Owls up 21-8 as they cruised to a 72-43 victory. Brianna Hypolite led the Owls with 14 points while Jessica Kuster added 13. Rice had balanced scoring throughout the game as three players ended the half with 7 points and one with 5 as they went into the half up 30-21
Amenemope McKinney and Jessica Goswitz added 9 each for the Owls. McKinney showed flashes of what I watched her do growing up with several acrobatic moves to the basket. She and Ashley Fontinette put on one of the most memorable exhibitions of head to head action I have ever seen from back in the day as both scored close to 40 a few years back
Jameirra Faulkner (13) and Tanecka Carey (11) led Southern Miss in scoring. Faulkner went into the press table hard after a loose ball and had to sit for around 6 minutes however was visibly shaken when she returned to the game. Saw a lot of impressive freshmen hit the floor for the Owls and as I've said before about the area college teams and their very young talent, the future looks bright in the city.
Speaking of bright in the city, two young stars from two of the top teams were in attendance. Carol Willie from Cy Falls, the #2 team in the area, was checking the action out with her mom and cousin. Willie is one of the top posts in the Class of 2013 and will be a key part in how far the Eagles fly
2015 Adriiana Jackson was also in attendance with her parents. Jackson runs the point for North Shore and has done a more than admirable job. She is also one of the top players in her class and even though she's only 5'0 tall, she's shown that doesn't matter and I'm sure her watching another 5'0 guard, D'Franz Smart, take care of business for the Owls, she knows how far hard work can take you
