Rebels roll to SEC Tourney semifinals with 77-60 win over Texas A&M
Greenville, S.C. – The Ole Miss women’s basketball team rolled to a wire-to-wire 77-60 victory over the Texas A&M Aggies Friday afternoon in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals in Greenville, South Carolina. The Rebels advance to the semifinals for the second year in a row and will play No. 1 South Carolina.
First-team All SEC guard Angel Baker led the Rebels with 23 points on an efficient 10-12 shooting day, including shooting 3-4 from three-point range. She also tacked on five rebounds and two assists.
Good luck guarding AB2K 👍 pic.twitter.com/oRWtgN27no
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) March 3, 2023
Baker was one of four Rebels to finish in double figures. Forward Madison Scott finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.
In attack mode!@IAMMADISCOTT makes it a double-digit Rebel lead. pic.twitter.com/tqzv9xcfWy
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) March 3, 2023
Guard Marquesha Davis followed her 26-point performance in the regular season finale with 14 points and three assists. Finally, guard Elauna Eaton was hot from three, finishing with 11 points and 3-3 from beyond the arc.
Oh @ElaunaEaton23 is ON today 😤 pic.twitter.com/w8xJ9GuWTW
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) March 3, 2023
Offensively, the Rebels scored their most points in a game since scoring 78 points back on January 26 against Mississippi State. They shot 51% from the field for the game and outscored the Aggies 36-22 in the paint.
Defensively, the Rebels were right on schedule, holding the Aggies to 35% shooting and 1-11 from three-point range. They also forced 22 turnovers, which led to 25 points on the offensive end, while also doubling the Aggies up in steals, 12-6.
Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin said that she was proud that her team was able to put together a complete game.
“I am really glad of how our team came out and played on both ends of the floor. I thought it was a good effort overall.”
Coach Yo on the win over A&M
Coach Yo pointed out one negative from the game, which was the number of fouls committed. She said that for a team that lives by the defense, this is not necessarily the best thing for her team, especially with South Carolina coming up.
“I thought that we were just excited to play,” McPhee-McCuin said. “Usually when we are ramped up like that, we will foul. We will have to clean that up.”
The Aggies went to the line 28 times, converting on 25 of those attempts, while the Rebels finished 11-15 from the stripe.
Baker, who posted her second-highest point total of the season, said that shots got easier and easier as the game went on.
“The first couple of shots went in, and then the rim got a little wider. Shoutout to my teammates for putting me in positions to be efficient and score the ball.”
Angel Baker
Eaton had her second double-digit scoring game of the year and tied a season high in points. She said that her coaches have done a great job to keep her prepared off the bench for big moments.
“Coach Yo and all of the coaches have put confidence in me to knock down shots. With that confidence, I feel like each one is going in. It all starts with my preparation and being ready when my name is called.”
Elauna Eaton
The Rebels will now face South Carolina for the second time this season, the first of which went to overtime, leading to a Gamecock victory. Baker said that her and the team are excited for the rematch in Greenville.
“It is always a pleasure going up against the No. 1 team. But we respect all. We fear none.”
Angel Baker on playing South Carolina
Coach Yo said that the 64-57 overtime loss to the Gamecocks in Oxford on Feb. 19 was huge for the team’s confidence to end the season, which will bode well for the semifinal matchup.
“There is a respect level with both teams,” McPhee-McCuin said.
“I expect it to be a great game. One of the things that will be different is that I won’t have to convince my team that we can play with them. This time, I can just focus on the Xs and Os.”
Coach Yo on playing South Carolina in the Semifinals
The Rebels and the Gamecocks will face off in the SEC Tournament semifinals for the second year in a row Saturday afternoon in Greenville, S.C. Tipoff is set for 3:30 CT on ESPNU.
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!
