Ole Miss women’s basketball records emotional 66-52 win over Jacksonville, Coach Yo’s former team
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss women’s basketball team recorded an emotional 66-52 victory over Jacksonville Wednesday at the SJB Pavilion in Oxford.
A major storyline for the game was head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin facing the school that kickstarted her head coaching career before she left for Ole Miss. She explained postgame just how emotional the game was for her.
“I don’t know that I want to play Jacksonville again because this was just an emotional game for me. I really felt a lot of anxiousness from the beginning of the game, but it is because of my love for Jacksonville University. They are a really good team, and it meant a lot that our players stepped up and showed out.”
Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin
The win over Coach Yo’s former team was highlighted by a monster double-double from forward Madison Scott. Her 19 points and 17 rebounds led both teams. She had 10 points in the third quarter, alone, as a response to what Coach Yo told her at halftime.
“We’ve been waiting for her to just break out,” McPhee-McCuin said.
“At halftime, I challenged her to step up. I don’t know if that is the recipe, but if that is what I need to do, I will do it at every halftime to get 19 and 17, because she is fully capable of it.”
Coach Yo on Madison Scott’s double-double
Scott accepted her coach’s halftime challenge, and she used it as motivation for her second half explosion.
“It definitely got me going,” Scott said.
“I’m a team player. I will do anything that my team needs me to do each and every night. Any moment where it feels like I’m not in the fight or I’m not doing what I’m supposed to do, they let me hear about it. Tonight was an example of responding, and I hope to be able to respond every night.”
Madison ScottÂ
The other double-double of the game for the Rebels came from forward Tyia Singleton. She posted12 points and 15 rebounds. Seven of her 15 rebounds came on the offensive boards. Coach Yo also challenged her to be great.
“I have been on Tyia, Madi, and Rita [Igbokwe] about being a presence on the glass,” McPhee-McCuin said. “I thought that [Tyia] took it to heart to go out there and be aggressive.”
Guard Angel Baker also had a great performance, scoring 18 points and grabbing five rebounds. She was on the floor the most for the Rebels, playing over 37 minutes of the game.
The chemistry of this Rebel squad is unmatched, and Coach Yo said something about her squad that is reflective across the entire program.Â
“First of all, I love coaching this team because they allow me to coach them. Secondly, I love watching them grow. I know we don’t have that lottery pick, but we are a lottery team. That’s what matters. They are all buying into where we are trying to go and what we are trying to do.”
Coach Yo on her team’s chemistry
Next Up
The Rebels (9-2) will take the floor for their last game of a three-game homestand Saturday against McNeese State. Tipoff at the SJB Pavilion is set for 12 p.m on SEC Network+.
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!
