COLUMBUS — The Mississippi University for Women men’s basketball team improved to 11-10 on the season as Jackson Reid hit a shot with six seconds left in the game to lift the Owls over Principia College, 73-72. The win guarantees the Owls a spot in the SLIAC tournament at the end of the month, and currently has them sitting in fourth in the conference standings. It was the third game-winning shot in four games for the Owls as they pick up momentum going into the final stretch of the regular season.
Reid was one of three W players who reached double digits on the scoresheet. He reached 11 with his game-winning shot, coming in behind Dariun Doss’ 12 points and Trent Walker’s team-leading 15.
The Owls women’s basketball team, 6-15, lost 94-45 in their game at Principia, but did get back in the win column Thursday with a 79-72 victory over Fontbonne University. Guard Claire Leak hit 20 points against the Griffins, followed closely by Conley Langford with 18. The Owls had an 11-point lead going into the final frame and were able to hold off a comeback attempt to get their fifth win in SLIAC play.
Elsewhere in Owls athletics the softball team got its season underway in Memphis, going 3-1 over four games at Rhodes College.
The Owls won both Saturday games in dominant fashion, with scores of 10-1 and 8-0 respectively in two six-inning finishes.
Six Owls hit .400 or better for the weekend, led by Riley Phillips and Anna Sandlin. At .500 and .462 respectively. Sandlin drove in eight runs and hit a pair of home runs to start the season, earning her Owl of the Week and SLIAC Player of the Week honors.
Joining Sandlin in the conference honors was SLIAC Pitcher of the Week Brooklyn Rhodes, who pitched a full game and allowed just one run with six strikeouts in her collegiate debut.
“I am extremely proud of both Anna and Brooklyn,” The W Head Coach Rebecca Oldham said. “For Anna, it is especially gratifying after the injury she had to overcome two years ago to even be at this point. And, with Brooklyn being just a freshman, it takes hard work to attain an honor like this.”
Finally, distance runner Hannah Owens set two school records for the Owls track and field team at the UAB Green & Gold Invitational in Birmingham at the weekend. She set new personal and school best times in the mile and 3000-meter events. Freshman Malachi Stafford also set a record as the first Owl to compete in the high jump.
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