Coach Yo earns career victory No. 150 as Rebels defeat SEMO
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss women’s basketball team picked up its second win of the season Thursday night, defeating Southeast Missouri State 83-57 at the SJB Pavilion.
Every player who stepped onto the floor scored or assisted on a basket, with guard Snudda Collins leading all scorers with 14 points. The team’s depth was on full display the first two games, and head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin enjoyed the play from her bench players.
“I liked the bench production for the most part. The focus is for us to be able to have depth.”
Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin
The Rebel bench outscored SEMO’s bench, 30-23, including 12 points from Rita Igbokwe, the leading scorer off the bench. Destiny Salary also posted a +14 during her time on the floor.
Even though the Rebels started much faster versus SEMO than against Kennesaw State on Monday — outscoring SEMO by 11 in the first quarter and 9 in the second quarter — Coach Yo’s team took a setback in the third, giving up 25 points in the quarter. The defensive lapse was the biggest downside for Coach Yo and her team on Thursday.
“I am very disappointed with the 25-point quarter,” McPhee-McCuin said. “That is not who we are. We are going to have to mature from that standpoint and just put people away.”
The turnovers were also a big issue as the Rebels compiled 21 for the game, including 16 in the first half.
“We have been turning the ball over so much, and that is not who we have been,” McPhee-McCuin said. “That is something that we want to get better at.”
Even though the team must get better, the win was made sweet because it was Coach Yo’s 150th career win. She was surprised when told of the milestone, but grateful for hitting 150.
“Winning in college athletics is not easy. When I really think about it, it is going to be really refreshing. In year one, we lost by 20 to SEMO. It was a low time for me. Just to see how far we’ve come makes me proud and lets me know that we are headed in the right direction.”
Coach Yo
Myah Taylor contributed nine points to victory No. 150, and she explained the importance of depth to the program.
“I believe that we all have confidence in each other,” Taylor said.
“The coaches have so much confidence in us. I think that is such a big part of our success to come.”
Myah Taylor
Coach Yo will look for win No. 151 on the road Sunday as her Rebels (2-0) take on Little Rock. Tipoff is set for 1 pm on ESPN+.
Trevor Terminie
Trevor is a senior at Ole Miss pursuing a degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Sports Communication and Promotion. He has previous experience covering sports for another site, including a variety of Ole Miss sports. Growing up in New Orleans, La., he has the Pelicans and Saints running through his blood. He also grew up in an LSU family, but his love for Ole Miss continues to grow. Trevor hopes to cover sports back in his hometown after college. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
