Ole Miss women’s basketball grabs win No. 20 in 74-52 victory over Kentucky
OXFORD – The Ole Miss women’s basketball team kept rolling Monday night in a 74-52 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats at the SJB Pavilion in Oxford.
The win was the twentieth on the season for the Rebels and the ninth in SEC play. This is the first time in program history that a Rebel team has notched nine wins in conference play in back-to-back seasons.
Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin did not understate the importance of back-to-back twenty-win seasons for her program.
“I know on February 13th, we have another twenty-win season back-to-back. That just goes to show that we are a program to be reckoned with, not a good team, a [good] program. We are going to celebrate the rest of the night until we start to prep for our next game.”
Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin
The twentieth win was once, again due, to the Rebels’ defensive effort. Coach Yo’s defense held the Wildcats to 26% shooting and 21% from three. They also forced 14 turnovers, turning them into 15 points of their own.
“You know we defend,” McPhee-McCuin said. “No one scores their normal average against us.”
Coming into the game, Kentucky averaged just under 70 points per game. The Rebels held them to 18 points below that average.
The Rebels showed their domination of the game on the boards, outrebounding the Wildcats by 21 in that department (52-31). They also won the offensive boards, 17-8, leading to 16 second-chance points.
On the offensive end, four Rebels finished in double-figures. Guard Marquesha Davis led the Rebels in scoring with 14 points while also notching a double-double with 10 rebounds. Forward Madison Scott also recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Off the bench, guard Ayanna Thompson scored 12 points for her highest scoring outing of the season. Guard Elauna Eaton scored 11 points, including dropping three three-pointers. It was her highest scoring performance of the season as well.
Overall, the Rebels shot 41% from the floor and 38% (6-16) from three-point range.
Angel Baker finished with seven points, nine rebounds, and six assists. In the process, she became the fourth player in Ole Miss history to eclipse the career 2,000-point mark, joining Peggie Gillom-Granderson, Armintie Price, and Jennifer Gillom.
“That is what Angel Came here to do: to make history. Angel is that. She is literally an angel for us.”
Coach Yo on Angel Baker
The Rebels are now entering their final four-game pod of the regular season, starting with No. 5 LSU this Thursday. Coach Yo said that her team has nothing to lose against the Tigers.
“We want to go and compete,” McPhee-McCuin said.
“This is why players come to the SEC, to go up against the best. No one is expecting us to win. So, we are just going to go out there and play our game. It is going to be totally about my team.”
Coach Yo on the upcoming game vs. LSU
Up Next
The Rebels (20-5, 9-3 SEC) will hit the road for Baton Rouge to face the No. 5 LSU Tigers this Thursday, February 16. Tipoff from the Pete Maravich Assembly Center is set for 8 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
(Feature image credit: Ole Miss Women’s Basketball)
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!
