MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The women's basketball team from the Mississippi University for Women opened up its 2021-22 campaign on the road at Rhodes College – which received votes in the NCAA III pre-season poll -  and suffered an 81-54 setback.  The Owls fell to 0-1, while the Lynx improved to 2-1.
 
The W opened the contest by scoring the first four points of the game. However, RC would tally 19 of the next 21 points scored in the game and never looked back after that first-quarter spurt. The Lynx led 21-11 after one quarter, 43-24 at the half and 63-33 through three segments.
 
"The reality of the situation is we are all new and we have not had enough time together as a team to develop chemistry," Head Coach Drew Johnson said. "We are also very young and very inexperienced. We need to understand that little things like pace, timing, and communication are real determinants on whether or not you can be competitive at this level."
 
"Also, the injury bug has not been kind to us in the least bit. We not only have kids out hurt, but we have a lot playing hurt. I promise you this team will look completely different in the coming weeks. The talent is there, we just have to put all the pieces of the puzzle together."
 
While the result may not have been what Johnson and the Owls had hoped for versus the Lynx, there were certainly positives to take away. Senior – and Columbus native – Rokila Wallace led all scorers with 20 points. Wallace made a living from the free throw stripe, going 12-for-15. She also had a team-best five rebounds and a pair of steals.
 
While the 11 points by junior forward MG Chamberlain may seem rather pedestrian to some, it was akin to cresting Mount Everest to the native of nearby Brighton, Tenn. That's because Chamberlain has not seen a basketball court in more than 1,000 days – three years - due to a severe knee injury. With many family and friends in attendance at the Memphis school, Chamberlain hit 5-of-14 field goal attempts versus Rhodes, including canning one of The W's two three-point baskets made.
 
Christiana Harris added six points, along with four rebounds, and Imoni Harris tallied five points and three caroms. Bre Waters chipped in four points and three boards, as well. Cassidy Murphy and Jasmine Shaw each had two points, along with one from Katie Beth Williams, to round out the Owls' scorers.
 
The Owls will next be in action on Tuesday (Nov. 16/5 p.m.) at home versus Belhaven University at Pohl Gym.