COLUMBUS, Miss. – Despite a huge game from junior post player MG Chamberlain, the Mississippi University for Women women's basketball team succumbed to Crowley's Ridge College, 65-50, at Pohl Gym. Coming off of a long break, and with a depleted roster, the Owls simply ran out of gas versus the Lady Pioneers.
 
"We fought hard today," MUW Head Coach Drew Johnson said. "We probably had the best start to a game that we've had all season. We showed we can play at a high level, but the key is playing at a high level consistently. Consistency is the hardest thing to achieve, and it takes time to develop. I believe in this group."
 
With just seven available players for various reasons -and without leading scorer and rebounder Rokila Wallace - Johnson's troops' were vastly different than the first meeting between the teams back in mid-November that saw CRC run up a 29-point win on the Lady Pioneers' home floor.
 
However, in the latest meeting on Tuesday, Chamberlain spearheaded the Owls' offense which led after the first quarter, 18-12. After that, Crowley's Ridge – which had twice as many available players than did MUW – began to pull away in what became a battle of attrition, leading 36-27 at the intermission. MUW did outscore CRC in the fourth stanza, 16-15.
 
Chamberlain finished with a game-leading - and season high - 24 points, hitting 8-for-19 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range. Chamberlain also produced a team-best eight rebounds to go along with a pair of assists.
 
"It was a really gutsy performance by MG (Chamberlain)," Johnson observed. "She has grown so much this year. I can't say enough about her work ethic.
 
Freshman Maddie Guerrin narrowly missed a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Guerrin led the Owls with three assists, as well. She and Chamberlain each had one blocked shot, as well.
 
Audrey Foreman and Jasmine Shaw booked seven and six points, respectively. Three points from Hannah Duran rounded out The W scoring. Duran also chipped in a pair of steals to the Owls' coffers.