Dec. 20, 2006

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HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- -

Liz Biland turned in a perfect game, connecting on all six fields and both free throws

Southern Miss survived a scoring drought over a span of 6:15 in defeating Centenary, 73-61, Wednesday night in Reed Green Coliseum.

Southern Miss improved to 6-7 on the season, while Centenary dropped to 3-10.

Amber Eugene led Southern Miss with a team-high 21 points, followed by Kendra Reed and Liz Biland with 14 points apiece and Lauren Pittman chipped in 13. Rachael Manuel led the team with eight rebounds and Kristin Chaney handed out 10 assists.

Centenary's Cierra Bush led all scorers with a game-high 27 points and pulled down nine rebounds.

"I believe the biggest difference in this game was our press was effective and we were able to get some easy baskets and momentum," Head Coach Joye Lee-McNelis said. "We knew coming into the game how critical it was going to be to make them burn minutes and rush shots. That was important because we had to do a great job trying to get them out of their motion offense. Every time they ran their offense, we either fouled or they scored."

Lauren Pittman scored a season-high 13 points

Southern Miss scored the first two points and Centenary quickly tied the game on its next possession. The Lady Eagles then scored six straight points pushing their lead to six, 8-2. After a three-pointer by Wilkins, Southern then went on 14-5 run, fueled by Reed's eight points, taking a 22-10 lead at the 11:58 mark.

The Lady Eagles continued to build on their lead and eventually built a 23-point advantage, 37-14. Centenary cut into that lead when the Ladies connected on 8-of-8 free throws in the last 1:45. Southern Miss led 44-27 at the half.

"I am proud of the effort we had tonight," said McNelis. "The one thing we have to do in conference play is play hard and we have to play smart."

With the Lady Eagles leading 68-47, Centenary then scored eight straight points to cut the lead to 13 points, 68-55. Bush scored six of the eight points.

After going over six minutes without scoring, Eugene then scored remaining five points for Southern Miss. The Lady Eagles did not score the last 2:17 of the game.

Southern Miss finished the game shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 73.7 percent from the line. Centenary out rebounded the Southern Miss, 39-36. Biland turned in a perfect performance, hitting all six shots from the field and both free throws.

Southern Miss will take several days off for the Christmas Holiday and will return to action on Dec. 28, in a 4:30 p.m., game against the Houston Jaguars in an exhibition game. The game will serve as a tune-up for the conference opener against UCF, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m.