Rebels defeat Louisiana on Kids Day, 79-57

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss grabbed its second straight win, defeating a tough Louisiana team in dominating fashion, 79-57, Wednesday afternoon. The Rebels took care of business in front of over 7,000 children who made their way to the Pavilion as a part of the Ole Miss “Kids’ Day” promotion. 

(Click here for box score.)

Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin’s Rebels seemed to feed off the youngsters’ energy. Not only did they shoot almost 60% from the floor in the two middle quarters, but they also tallied 15 assists on 19 of their made baskets in that same stretch of time.

“(The atmosphere) was electric,” said Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin. “I didn’t even play and I was pumped up. I’m glad that we had the type of performance for the kids to emulate.”

Freshman Mimi Reid (2) notched her first career double-double in the win. (Photo: Ole Miss Athletics)

Those two middle quarters proved to be pivotal in the win as the Rebels took what was once an 11-11 game at the end of the first quarter and turned it into a 59-37 lead at the conclusion of the third. 

Ole Miss went on a 25-5 second-quarter run that proved insurmountable for the Ragin’ Cajuns at the midway point.

In fact, that 25 point, second-period is a season-high thus far for the Rebels in 2018. They came close to breaking that in the third, notching 23 points. A total of five Ole Miss players hit the double-digit scoring mark in the game–a feat that had not been accomplished since November 17, 2016.

Senior Crystal Allen led Ole Miss in scoring with 18 points, her third straight game with at least 18 points. Redshirt freshman Mimi Reid notched her first career double-double with 14 points and 11 assists. Reid’s return from a concussion that kept her out for two games has been a blessing in the two games since her return. Junior Jhileya Dunlap also recorded a double-double, scoring 10 points and coming down with a team-high 12 rebounds.

Shandricka Sessom finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Cecilia Muhate added 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Next Up:

The Rebels look to continue their hot-streak this weekend as they hit the road to Ruston, Louisiana to face the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters Saturday at 2:00 p.m. (CT).