Ole Miss women’s basketball loses overtime heartbreaker to Auburn, 77-76
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss women’s basketball team dropped its second game in a row in a 77-76 overtime loss at Auburn Sunday night. The loss propelled the Tigers to a season series split with the Rebels.
Ole Miss took a 41-33 lead into the halftime break, but a 24-12 third quarter won by the Tigers allowed Auburn to roll back into the game, leading to a seven-point lead for the Tigers in the fourth quarter.
However, the Rebels were able to fight back, and force overtime tied at 70. Ole Miss was able to hold the final shot in overtime, but missed it in the final seconds to end the game.
Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin felt much differently about this game than the loss last week to Alabama.
“I thought we were going to win the game This is a game I thought we would win all the way to the end.”
Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin after the loss to Auburn
Many of the stats in the game went in favor of the Rebels, including a big 46-32 rebound advantage and outscoring the Tigers 10-2 in second-chance points. However, 21 turnovers and defensive lapses, especially in the second and third quarters, were the Rebels’ downfall.
“Uncharacteristic second and third quarters defensively, it just got the best of us,” McPhee-McCuin said.
Coach Yo attributed her team’s fatigue as a factor in some of the defensive lapses, as some of her players played beyond a full 40 minutes of gametime.
“In a 45-minute game, Marquesha [Davis] [played] 40 minutes, Madison Scott [played] 42 minutes, Angel Baker [played] 42 minutes, Myah Taylor [played] 40 minutes. We couldn’t get any rest.”
Coach Yo on her team’s minutes played
Much of the fatigue was spurred by foul trouble, as Rita Igbokwe committed four fouls in nine minutes of gametime, and Snudda Collins fouled-out midway through the fourth quarter. Tyia Singleton also went down with an injury early in the first quarter, but she was able to return.
Offensively, guard Angel Baker was once again at the forefront for the Rebels, scoring 25 points, including 13 points in a second-quarter explosion. She also rounded out the game’s only double-double with 12 rebounds.
Two other Rebels finished in double figures, as forward Madison Scott scored 14 points, eight coming from the free-throw line, and Marquesha Davis tacked on 12 points.
Coach Yo explained that these past two SEC losses after starting 5-0 explains the parity that comes with playing in the SEC, especially since Auburn came into Sunday’s contest 0-6 in conference play.
“[In] the SEC, any night, you can win or lose, and that’s the honest truth. It doesn’t matter about anybody’s record. We are going to need a good crowd on Thursday to will us into a win. We are going to have to figure out how to gut out these close ones.”
Coach Yo on toughness of the toughness of the SEC
Up Next
Coach Yo’s Rebels (16-4, 5-2 SEC) will look to get back on the winning track back at home this Thursday (Jan. 26th) in round two against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Tipoff at the SJB Pavilion is set for 8 p.m. CT 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!
