Ole Miss women’s basketball hosts Auburn to open SEC play

OXFORD, Miss. — It’s Thirsty Thursday in the ‘Sip, and the Auburn Tigers are coming to town. Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin and the Rebels closed out their non-conference play with a strong road win over Temple, 75-55, and now look ahead to league play.

What a moveeee for @igbokwe_rita 💃 pic.twitter.com/AdFQxyFyon

— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) December 21, 2022

Setting The Tone

Ole Miss players Tyia Singleton (16), Madison Scott (16), Angel Baker (14), and Marquesha Davis (10) are setting a strong tone, all posting double-digit points in the win over Temple.

Scott and Baker also came up big for the Rebs on the road with 10 rebounds each to notch double-doubles. This marks Baker’s first of the season, but it is number three for Scott that caps off a three-game streak for double-doubles.

And one for @IAMMADISCOTT 🔥

That's her third straight game in double-figures! pic.twitter.com/btrpXYHD5j

— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) December 21, 2022

The Rebels set the tone early in the Temple win and brought balance on both sides of the court, as they shot 50 percent from the field with 19 assists while the defense held Temple to 35% shooting.

Scouting Auburn

Let’s take a quick look at the 10-2 Auburn Tigers.

🎥 Highlights from our 7⃣th straight victory!#WarEagle | #LGTW pic.twitter.com/W4fJggLUGU

— Auburn Women's Basketball (@AuburnWBB) December 20, 2022

In her second season as head coach Johnnie Harris brings her Tigers to Oxford riding a seven-game winning streak where they closed out their non-conference slate with a big win over North Florida, 77-49.

The Tigers will post a challenge for the Rebels as they bring a balanced game, but one that is also dominant in several areas. Auburn stands second in the SEC in blocks per game (6.5), steals per game (11.7), three point percentage (38.2), and turnovers forced per game (22.42).

Tigers to Watch

Honesty Scott Grayson is a name you will be hearing a lot this evening. She is one of the key “x-factors” in Auburn’s dominating game. She takes sharp-shooter to a whole other level and is second in the SEC in three-point percentage (25-51, .490).

Grayson leads the Tigers from the field, completing 67-of-140 baskets averaging a .479 shooting clip.

Y’all better come up here and get one of these Honesty’s #WarEagle | #LGTW pic.twitter.com/PXvsk1BfCF

— Auburn Women's Basketball (@AuburnWBB) December 22, 2022

Forward Rebels

The SJB Pavilion is the move tonight.

We'll see you there 😤 pic.twitter.com/oyo5FpLCyz

— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) December 29, 2022

Coach Yo continues to bring Ole Miss to a higher level, and we are seeing the fruits of her labor with so many playmakers on offense — and a relentless defense.

The Rebs’ defensive efforts have been the magic elixir that drives their continued dominance. Thus far this season, Ole Miss ranks No. 12 in the nation in scoring defense, holding opponents to an average of 52.8 points per game.

The Rebels are also sitting at No. 19 in defensive filed goal percentage, holding their opponents to an average of 34.5 percent shooting per game. McPhee-McCuin’s team is currently 11-0 when holding opponents to 60 points or fewer.

The season is just getting started, but this Rebels’ team could make a deep run in postseason if they keep playing this way.

So let’s get out and get rowdy and rally with Coach Yo and Rebs tonight! #NoCeilings

It's time to LIGHT. IT. UP. @YolettMcCuin | #NoCeilings pic.twitter.com/4VAg9S2g0D

— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) December 29, 2022

Tipoff against Auburn is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted on SEC Network +.

(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)