Despite a sloppy start and low numbers by the Lady Bulldog’s top scorers, the team found a way to defeat the Lady Rebels 53-50 in overtime, thus sweeping the season series and breaking a five-game losing streak.
Scoring her first points with only 6:11 remaining in the game, senior Diamber Johnson ended regulation play in dramatic fashion.
Coming off of a double screen set by senior Ashley Brown and freshman Martha Alwal, Johnson sunk the only three-point score for the Bulldogs.  The three-pointer capped a dramatic comeback for MSU and sent the game to overtime.
Johnson said the play was broken and explained the communication between the team in the last few seconds before the final buzzer made the difference in the outcome of the game.
“That last shot, that was probably the first shot I took all game that I wasn’t thinking about it, that I wasn’t thinking about the ball coming off my fingers and going through my routine in my mind.  So I just let the shot fly, and it felt good,” Johnson said.
The Bulldogs went on to outscore the Rebels 10-7 in overtime, improving MSU’s record to 14-11 overall and 4-8 in league play.
Johnson scored only seven points, far below her average 16.3 points per game.  Despite these low numbers, head coach Sharon Fanning-Otis said Johnson added much needed energy and endurance to the game. Freshman Kendra Grant, another leading scorer for the team, put no points on the board and played only 20 minutes due to a minor head injury late in the second half.
Stepping up to lead the team in points, steals and assists was senior Porsha Porter.  With 18 points and five steals, Porter outscored every other player on the court. 
Fanning-Otis said Porter’s leadership, composure and communication gave the team the energy needed for a victory.
“This team expected to win all along. While we weren’t playing as well as we needed to, there were a lot of contributions and the bottom line is that they had the composure down the stretch to find a win,” Fanning-Otis said, “And that’s an important process as you learn to win games.”
While the win over the rival Lady Rebels restored confidence for the team, the players are already looking ahead to Thursday’s match against the No. 11 Lady Vols. 
Aside from trying to find consistency from the leading scorers, the team will work on maintaining 40 minutes of endurance in the important upcoming games.
“It’s amazing how taking a charge and getting an offensive rebound with a put-back, those are the little things, those are just pure energy.  Those are energy-givers, hustle-plays,” Fanning-Otis said, “We have to have more of that.”
Because the Lady Dogs were outrebounded 62-48, coaches and players agree practice this week will focus partially on blocking out and shooting.  Another focus of practice will be guarding against multiple screens.
“We know Tennessee is a lot longer and bigger, so we’re about to get in there and go to work to be ready for that game,” Porter said.
The Volunteers will enter the game Thursday with a record of  8-3 in conference play, which puts them at No. 3 in the SEC standings, while the Bulldogs will enter the contest 4-8 in league play. Tipoff Thursday is set for 8 p.m. at the Hump.