Ole Miss women’s basketball falls to No. 18 Alabama, 84-78

OXFORD, Miss. – The 18th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide women’s basketball team may have left Oxford with an 84-78 win, but the Ole Miss Rebels made sure every point was earned.

Jumping out to an early 7-0 lead, Ole Miss forced Alabama’s head coach Kristy Curry to call a timeout less than two minutes into the matchup. Alabama responded quickly, with Zaay Green getting things started for the Tide.

Both teams played a half-court man-to-man defense, and the Rebels, known for their scoring ability, created good opportunities. When shots didn’t fall, they were quick to rebound and take advantage of foul calls. The Tide managed to stay afloat, with Green keeping them in the game, as the first quarter ended with Ole Miss leading 17-14.

The first three minutes of the second quarter proved to be the difference maker, as Ole Miss managed just two points during that stretch while Alabama scored seven. In an attempt to corral the Rebels’ scoring, Alabama switched to a zone defense, forcing a turnover that led to a Karly Weathers layup, giving the Tide their first lead of the game. Yet, a defensive miscommunication a couple plays later allowed Tameiya Sadler to sink a wide-open three, putting Ole Miss back on top, 24-21, with five minutes remaining in the half. As another three minute scoring drought plagued the Rebels, Alabama closed the quarter on an 8-0 run, taking a 31-27 lead into halftime.

Out of the gate, the Rebels and the Tide exchanged baskets, with Sira Thienou scoring a layup and Alabama’s Green answering with a midrange jumper. However, trading baskets wasn’t enough for Ole Miss to regain the lead—they needed to lean into their strength: locking down defensively and converting on offense. Thienou, who picked up three player control fouls, had to sit for longer than usual, but Starr Jacobs and Christeen Iwaula stepped up, battling in the paint and on the defensive end. However, Alabama’s four made three-pointers, compared to just one by Ole Miss in the quarter, played a big role in the 10-point deficit. By the end of the period, Alabama held a 56-46 advantage.

The fourth quarter rolled around, and unfortunately for the Rebels, the Tide kept rolling, led by Aalyiah Nye and Green. While Nye was hot from beyond the arc, Green showcased her ability to score at all three levels. Defensively, Alabama stuck with its zone, only switching to man-to-man for a few possessions. Jacobs made the most of the Tide’s difficulty in rebounding out of the zone, grabbing second-chance putbacks and drawing fouls, setting a new season-high 21 points. The Rebels extended their pressure to full court, hoping to force Alabama into some turnovers.

With 53 seconds left, Madison Scott fouled out, leaving Ole Miss to continue without their leader. KK Deans and Sadler hit clutch three-pointers to keep the Rebels within striking distance. Ole Miss managed to cut the lead to five, but fouling to stay in it allowed Alabama to extend the margin, ultimately sealing the game at the free-throw line and handing the Rebels their first home loss of the season, 84-78.

Alabama was led by Nye, who hit seven three-pointers and finished with 32 points. Green added 27 points, and Essence Cody made a significant impact in the paint, providing crucial rebounds and second-chance points late in the game. Deans contributed 13, while Iwaula and Kennedy Todd-Williams each added 11, with Iwaula providing a huge spark off the bench.

Next Up

The Rebels will look to regroup and begin a new home stand as they prepare to host the Florida Gators on Thursday, January 16th, at 8 p.m. Be there, Rebel Nation!