Ole Miss women’s basketball drops close game to Horned Frogs, 55-50
OXFORD, Miss. — Beginning a four-game home stand, the Ole Miss women’s basketball team returned to the Pavilion Thursday night to face another strong opponent in the TCU Horned Frogs (4-1). Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s squad fought hard but fell to TCU, 55-50, in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
(Click here for box score.)
Facing a quality opponent like TCU is nothing new to this year’s Rebel squad who entered tonight’s game coming off a very competitive slate in last weekend’s Paradise Jam tournament.
In fact, Ole Miss took on head coach Geno Auriemma’s UConn Huskies in that tournament, a team that has been one of the most prolific sports dynasties of the modern era. They also faced Purdue and St. John’s.
Rebels lose point guard before game, but fight hard against TCU
Thus far this season, the Ole Miss defense has been able to hold opponents under their total points average in six of seven opportunities. That was the case again Thursday, as the Rebs held the Horned Frogs to 55 points–significantly fewer than the 72.2 points per game TCU was averaging when they entered the contest —evidence of Coach Yo’s dedication to making her team more active and efficient on the defensive side of the court.
Shandricka Sessom (23) played point guard against TCU following the concussion suffered by Mimi Reid. (Photo: Ole Miss Athletics)
The Rebels’ head coach continues to stress that establishing the physicality of a team is a major step in building a program, especially in a league as competitive as the SEC. Her team is responding.
Tonight, the Rebels were without point guard Mimi Reid, who suffered a concussion yesterday. In her place, Shandricka Sessom stepped in at point. Coach Yo, who noted that she and the team did not find out Mimi would be unable to play until it was almost go-time, discussed the adversity her team has faced.
“Tough one tonight, but I’m so proud of our young ladies,” she said after the game. “I’m just telling you, it seems like every time we make a step forward, something happens to challenge us,” she continued.
“Challenges like this will help us in the long run, and there are a lot of things that we can build off of—a lot of things we can be proud of, especially with our point guard not being present today. Mimi got a concussion. We had no idea this was going to happen until right as we were prepping.I knew it would be an adjustment for us.”
Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin
Jhileiya Dunlap finished with 10 points and 5 rebounds against TCU. (Photo: Ole Miss Athletics)
In the first half of the game, Ole Miss had a tough time shooting the ball as the Rebels hit the midway point hitting only 26% from the floor. Over the course of the second half, however, they were able to improve more than 10 percent—and ended up with a higher percentage than TCU, finishing an overall 37% compared to the Horned Frogs’ 35%.
Ole Miss’ Crystal Allen, among others, led a valiant effort in the second half as she and Jhileiya Dunlap combined for 13 total points in the third quarter, as the Rebels went from 14 points down to actually taking the lead by one point at the start of the final quarter.
Dunlap finished with 10 points, while Allen notched 8.
Coach Yo was not surprised at her team’s resilience.
“I didn’t have to make anyone believe we could get back in the game. We just knew we had to settle down. I asked them to give their all on the defensive end and hold them to 10 in the third and they did.”
Coach Yo on the Rebels’ second-half comeback
Neither team held more than a two-point lead at any point in the fourth quarter until TCU was able to find its way to the foul line and take a narrow lead through the final buzzer, ultimately defeating Ole Miss, 55-50.
While the Rebs experienced some scoring droughts in the game, the difference in the outcome could most notably be felt in the rebounding column. Ole Miss has struggled on the boards and tonight they were outmatched on the boards, 47-32.
“I’m proud of our team,” Coach Yo said. “But, we’ve got to figure out the rebounding. That rebound we gave up at the free-throw line was key. I think that broke our backs.”
Player of the Game: Shandricka Sessom
It may not have been the final result that she wanted, but Shandricka Sessom showed why she is touted as one of the most talented seniors in the SEC. Very early in the contest against TCU, she was able to surpass her points-per-game season average, proving she continues to get better and better after her season-ending ACL tear last year. Against the Horned Frogs, she finished with a season-high 19 points and 7 rebounds.
Next Up:
Ole Miss (3-5) continues its four-game home stand this Sunday against Jacksonville State at 2:00 p.m. (CT). The Gamecocks’ (3-3) most recent victory came over Montevallo by a score of 84-52.
For those of you in town this weekend, consider going out to support Coach Kermit Davis’ men’s team on Saturday and the women’s team on Sunday. The women’s game features $1 tickets for seats to watch the team continue the Coach Yo era.
Archie Breland
Archie has been an Ole Miss fanatic since day one. Born in Denver, Colorado, he has a passion for everything Ole Miss and loves to be part of the great gameday experience. He is currently a freshman at the University of Mississippi and is studying the field of Journalism and Law. Archie played football in high school and also has extensive knowledge of all things college athletics.
