COLUMBUS, Miss. –  Despite a monster game of 25 points from senior Rokila Wallace, the Mississippi University for Women came out on the short end of a 62-45 decision in its 2021-22 home opener versus Belhaven University at Pohl Gym. The Owls are now 0-2 on the young season, while the Blazers remained unbeaten at 3-0.
 
The visitors led wire-to-wire, despite being held well below their scoring average of 81.5 points per game by the Owls. The W's offense never quite got into sync as a team, shooting 30 percent (17-57) for the game, while the Blazers hit better than 40 percent (25-62) from the field.
 
Wallace – a Columbus, Miss. native (Columbus H.S.) - accounted for the bulk of the Owls' point total, making 8-of-19 shots from the floor, 2-for-3 from beyond the arc, and connecting on 7-of-11 free throws. Wallace was also MUW's leading rebounder with seven boards. She had two steals, as well.
 
Jasmine Shaw contributed six points, two assists and two steals. Imoni Harris added five points and two steals.
 
Hannah Duran booked four points, while MG Chamberlain and Maddie Guerin each had two. Jaycee Haynes had a free throw made to round out the Owls' scoring.
 
Duran and Guerin each pulled down four rebounds. Shaw, Chamberlain and Christiana Harris collected three caroms, apiece.
 
"Today was an experience to build on," The W Head Coach Drew Johnson said. "Stay with us, we are going to get better. As the younger kids improve, we will improve as a whole. We are still just learning to play with each other."
 
"Belhaven is a good team, very well coached, give them credit. We will be good too. It just takes some time."
 
The W women will next be in action on Thursday (Nov. 18/5:30 p.m.) at Crowley's Ridge College.