ATLANTA, Ga.- Senior Marlena Murphy scored 19 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead Campbell's women's basketball team (5-8) in a 63-56 loss to Mississippi Valley State (5-4) in the consolation game of the Georgia State Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 29 in Atlanta. The Camels have now lost three in a row and six of their last seven games.

Murphy was the lone Campbell player in double figures in points or rebounds. Fellow senior Maggie Rich chipped in eight points and six rebounds. Redshirt junior Gara Bell had a steady performance with eight points and seven rebounds. Portia Wilson led the charge for the Devilettes with 17 points. She was one of four MVSU players in double figures with Amanda Hammond tallying 14, Shakira Arnold totaling 12 and Ashley Howard put in 11.

The Devilettes began to slowly pull away early in the second half (43-38) with Shakira Arnold scoring five of the teams first 13 points. The MVSU lead reached eight on back-to-back made jumper from Portia Wilson. The Camels kept fighting though and got to within four on a Gara Bell jumper (52-48). CU had several opportunities to put a dent in the lead but were unable to capitalize on the front end of two one-and-one free throw situations.

Murphy got off to a strong start in the first half, scoring nine of the teams first 11 points. CU took their first lead of the game at 14-13 on a made Gara Bell jumper. Back-to-back threes from Arthur gave the Camels their largest lead to that point at 21-16. Murphy continued her strong half and knocked down a pair of free throws to extend the advantage to seven (27-20). The senior then picked up her second foul and was forced to the bench. Mississippi Valley State then went on a 7-0 rally to tie the score at 27 on Wilson's jumper. The two team exchanged made jumpers and free throws to go into the half tied at 30. Murphy tallied 13 points in the first half while Amanda Hammond led the Devilettes with 11 points.

The Lady Camels now return home to open the conference season against Belmont on Jan. 5 at 1 p.m.

Notes: The double-double was Murphy's eighth of the season and 29th of her career ... this was the first ever meeting between these two teams ... this was only the fifth time that Campbell has been outrebounded this season (53-38)