Mississippi uses balanced attack to beat Gonzaga 81-66 in NCAA first round

MINNEAPOLIS — Latasha Lattimore scored 15 points and Mississippi defeated Gonzaga 81-66 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament, The Associated Press reported.

Cotie McMahon added 13 points, Sira Thienou had 12 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, and Denim DeShields contributed 11 points and four assists for the No. 5 seed Rebels (24-11). Mississippi will face the winner of Sunday’s game between Minnesota and Green Bay, according to The Associated Press.

Allie Turner led Gonzaga with 27 points. Jaiden Haile had 11 points and eight rebounds and Lauren Whittaker finished with eight points and 13 rebounds for the No. 12 seed Bulldogs (24-10), The Associated Press reported.

Gonzaga fell behind by as many as 13 in the first quarter before Haile’s three-point play and a Turner layup cut the deficit to 25-19 midway through the second. Mississippi answered with a 14-4 run that began with second-chance baskets by Lattimore and ended with a McMahon 3-pointer that sent the Rebels to the locker room leading 39-23, The Associated Press reported.

The Bulldogs struggled early, missing their first seven field-goal attempts and having three of their first four shots blocked. Gonzaga finished the quarter 4-for-14 and committed seven turnovers, including two shot-clock violations forced by Mississippi’s defense. Mississippi’s size advantage — four starters and six rotation players listed at 6-foot-1 or taller — also factored into the game, according to The Associated Press.

Gonzaga rallied late, cutting a 70-37 deficit early in the fourth to 10 points with 47 seconds remaining after Teryn Gardner hit three 3-pointers and Turner added eight free throws and a 3. Mississippi closed the game out to secure the win, The Associated Press reported.

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