Dec. 16, 2007
STARKVILLE, Miss. – A 44-point second half sparked the Georgia Tech women’s basketball team (8-1) to a 70-58 come-from-behind win over Mississippi State (8-3) at Humphrey Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.
Janie Mitchell, a senior from Jackson, Miss., scored a game-high 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds in her first trip to her home-state as a member of the Yellow Jackets. Tech earned its first-ever win over the Lady Bulldogs and only the sixth victory in the program’s history over a Southeastern Conference opponent.
“This is a great win for our program,” head coach MaChelle Joseph said. “It is the first time Tech has defeated Mississippi State in five tries. Janie Mitchell was huge. She came up very big and helped guide the team to one of the biggest wins of her career.”
The Yellow Jackets picked up their defense in the second half, forcing the Lady Bulldogs into eight turnovers and registered six steals with their full-court press. The Jackets were able to outscore MSU 44-29 after halftime and knocked down 92.9 percent of their second half free throws to preserve the win.
Tech outrebounded the Lady Bulldogs by 18 and had a total of 19 boards in the second half. The Jackets also finished with 10 steals, the seventh game this season that Tech has had 10 or more steals in a game.
Senior Chioma Nnamaka scored 11 points for Tech, the eighth game time season she has scored in double-figures. Jill Ingram added 13 points, four boards and four steals off the bench.
Mississippi State was led by Tysheka Grimes, who had 21 points and Alexis Rack, who scored 15 in a losing effort.
The Lady Bulldogs opened the game on an 11-2 run sparked by a pair of three-pointers by Rack but the Jackets were able to fight their way back. Mitchell scored eight of the final 12 Tech points of the half to give the Jackets a 26-23 lead with 1:33 remaining. MSU would score two late baskets including a Grimes three-point field goal with four seconds remaining to give the Lady Bulldogs a 29-26 advantage at the half.
Tech will get on the bus and travel west to Itta Bena, Miss. for a matchup with Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET at the Robert W. Harrison HPER Complex.
– RamblinWreck.com –
Tech Notes
Chioma Nnamaka
… With her three three-point field goals made, Nnamaka has moved into second place all-time with 207 in her career.
… She has now scored 1,298 points in her career and ranks 10th all-time in Tech history.
… Has scored in double-figures in eight of the Jackets nine games this season.
… With her four rebounds, Nnamaka now has 473 for her career and is 27 away from becoming only the 16th Jacket in the program’s history with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.
… She played and started her 97th straight game as a Jacket.
Janie Mitchell
… Scored 20+ points for the fourth time this season.
… Now has 1,043 points and 576 rebounds in her career.
… Her 1,043 points ranks her 21st all-time in scoring at Georgia Tech
Jill Ingram
… Her four steals moves her into sole possession of 5th-place in Tech history.
