Kennedy Todd-Williams enjoys career night as Ole Miss pounds Vanderbilt

OXFORD, Miss. – It wasn’t the snow that brought the chill to Oxford Thursday night—it was the Rebels. Ole Miss women’s basketball faced Vanderbilt yesterday at 5 p.m. in The Sandy and John Black Pavilion, and from the jump, the Rebels set the tone, displaying a level of aggressiveness and intensity that made it clear they were about business as they defeated the Commodores, 87-59.

With both teams 1-1 in SEC play and looking to bounce back from recent losses, they turned up their defensive pressure early. Vanderbilt opened with a full-court zone press, trapping near half-court, while Ole Miss responded with a full-court man defense, occasionally switching looks after the ball was inbounded. Both teams, known for forcing 23 turnovers per game, disrupted each other’s offensive rhythm, resulting in a chaotic, turnover-filled first quarter.

Yet, despite the chaos, Ole Miss was able to get out to a 6-0 run, beginning with Madison Scott’s signature mid-range jumper. In head coach Yolette McPhee McCuin’s post-game interview, she credited Scott for setting the tone.

Coach Yo on Madi Scott

By the end of the first quarter, the Rebels led 17-11.

As the game progressed, Ole Miss began to lock into their identity, turning defense into offense. The Rebels forced the Commodores into 17 turnovers before halftime, well above Vanderbilt’s average of just 13 turnovers per game. Offensively, Vanderbilt had no answer for Kennedy Todd-Williams, who extended Ole Miss’ lead in the second quarter by knocking down her fourth three-pointer and tying her career high before halftime. As for Vanderbilt, fouls plagued their leading scorer and double-double machine, Khamil Pierre, who played only 8 minutes and was held to just two points and zero rebounds.

Ole Miss held a commanding 44-25 lead at the half, dominating both ends of the court. However, Coach Yo made her goals clear for the team during her halftime interview: “We can’t let up,” she said. “We’ve got to keep the pedal to the metal on the other end.'”

Vanderbilt attempted adjustments in the third quarter, incorporating double high ball screens and baseline screens to free up their scorers. Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt’s second-leading scorer, did her best to lead the charge and get her team back in the game. The Commodores also switched to a full-court man defense, trapping occasionally. However, Ole Miss’ relentless defensive pressure continued to disrupt the Commodores’ rhythm. Ole Miss outscored Vanderbilt 27-12 in the third quarter, entering the final period with a 71-37 lead.

The fourth quarter was all Ole Miss. The Rebels quickly pushed the ball off the rim and into the front court, making their transition game look flawless. Vanderbilt did not give up though. With Pierre and Blakes back in the game, the Commodores were relying on them to spark a comeback despite the large deficit. However, they were no match for Ole Miss’s balanced attack. The final score was 87-59.

The Rebels ended the game with five players scoring in double figures. Todd-Williams set a new career high with 25 points, knocking down five three-pointers to lead all scorers. When asked about her performance in the postgame interview, she said, ‘Being able to see that one go in got my confidence flowing.’ Sira Thienou, celebrating her birthday, delivered a standout performance with 16 points. Scott, Tameiya Sadler, and Starr Jacobs each contributed 10 points.

Vanderbilt finished with a staggering 23 turnovers, a testament to Ole Miss’ stifling defense. The victory marked the Rebels’ 12th straight home win, as they held Vanderbilt to their season-low scoring total.

In the post-game interview, Coach Yo credited her team’s defense, saying, “When we get stops, we can play at a tempo that we want.”

Todd-Williams echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s commitment to playing a full 40 minutes. “We started to find our openings and just knew we had to lock down defensively,” she said.

‘Defense to offense’ was on full display in this game. The Rebels not only proved their ability to bounce back but also leaned on each other to get it done. With this statement win, they’ll look to carry their momentum into their next game against Alabama on Sunday, January 12th, at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion. You won’t want to miss it!