Ole Miss women’s basketball caps historic regular season with comeback victory over Alabama
TUSCALOOSA – The Ole Miss women’s basketball team wrapped up its regular season with a 57-55 comeback victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa Sunday afternoon.
The win, which was secured with two clutch free-throws by guard Marquesha Davis with 3.5 second to go, locked up the fourth seed and a double-bye in the SEC Tournament for the Rebels.
Ice in her veins 🥶 @MarqueshaDavis pic.twitter.com/chnMAmZNHp
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) February 26, 2023
Ole Miss finishes the regular season with 11 SEC wins, which ties a program record set in 1991-92 season under Van Chancellor, and a 22-7 overall record.
The first quarter was a quintessential Rebel performance, as they held the Crimson Tide to nine points and 2-16 shooting. Ole Miss, meanwhile, shot 6-14 from the floor. The score heading into the second quarter was the exact same as the first meeting between these two back on January 15, with the Rebels leading 17-9.
The second and third quarters, however, were controlled by the Tide. Over the next two quarters, the Tide would outscore Ole Miss 32-18. The Rebels shot a combined 28% (7-25) over in the second and third quarters, while the Tide had its offense rolling (41%), including draining four three-pointers.
The Tide held their first and eventually largest lead of the game in the third quarter as they pulled ahead by eight with 1:16 to go in the third. However, the Rebels cut the deficit to six heading into the fourth quarter at 41-35.
Ole Miss came flying into the fourth quarter with two quick layups by Davis. Another Davis layup and and Angel Baker jumper tied the game at 43 with 7:44 to go. After this, Davis and forward Madison Scott would control the offense for the Rebels, combining for 14 points after the 7:44 mark.
DON'T LET @IAMMADISCOTT GET HOT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WomevMPDfa
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) February 26, 2023
Ole Miss would take a six point lead with 2:19 to go courtesy of a 6-0 run, but the Tide answered with a 6-0 run of its own. The game would eventually be tied at 55 with 23.5 seconds to go, and the Rebels would possess the ball with a chance to win.
This scenario for Ole Miss was seemingly identical to just a week ago when the Rebs were locked with No. 1 South Carolina at 55 with the ball and a chance to win. That game went to overtime. However, in this one, the Tide would foul three times on the final possession, which put Davis at the line for her game-winning free throws.
A Snudda Collins block on the opposite end of the floor gave the Rebels a two-point victory.
Not in Snudda's house 🚫 pic.twitter.com/5LJmSa6tgc
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) February 26, 2023
Overall, Davis led the scoring charge for Ole Miss with 26 points, which is the highest single-game scoring performance for the Rebels this season. Baker and Scott were the other two Rebels in double-figures, as they each scored 10 points.
Ole Miss shot 42% from the field for the game while holding Alabama to just 33%. The Rebel defense also held the Tide to 15 points below its per-game average for the season (70.8).
Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin said that the nine-point comeback is a representation of the growth of the team throughout the season.
“We are resilient. We are tough. We believe in each other. There were moments where they [Alabama] broke us. I am just really proud that they responded.”
Coach Yo after the win over Alabama
She also said that a defensive stop by Collins to win the game was the best way possible that this game could have ended.
“It was like poetry because we are a defensive team. That is what we hang our hat on. What a really cool way to win the game in our fashion. I couldn’t have written it any better.”
Coach Yo
The Rebels finish 2-2 in the final four-game pod of the regular season, and Coach Yo said that it is a testament to the team’s character to finish the season while getting better.
“February is a grueling month,” McPhee-McCuin said.
“One of the things that I hope people talk about is the character of my team to continue to climb in this month. I was really proud that I feel like, despite the two losses and now these two wins, we are steady on an incline.”
Coach Yo
The Rebels will now get four days rest before they are back in action at the SEC Tournament in Greenville, South Carolina. They will play 25 minutes after the conclusion of the noon game on Friday, March 3, against either five-seed Mississippi State, 12-seed Vanderbilt, or 13-seed A&M. The game will be aired on the 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!
