Ole Miss Rolls Past Mississippi State, Advances to SEC Quarterfinal Against No. 1 Texas

GREENVILLE, S.C. – With a balanced offensive attack and second half physicality, Ole Miss knocked off Mississippi State 85-73 in the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament to advance to the quarterfinal.

Ole Miss earned its fifth consecutive quarterfinal appearance under head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, now getting ready to take on No. 1 Texas for the second time this season. Coach Yo also reached 20 wins for the fourth consecutive season with the win.

First half

The Bulldogs won the opening tip and began the game on a 6-0 run. The Rebels missed their first four shots of the game before Tameiya Sadler got a layup to fall, drawing a foul and quickly cutting the Mississippi State lead to three.

Ole Miss proceeded to go on an 11-0 run that lasted nearly three minutes before the Bulldogs finally found an answer. However, Kennedy Todd-Williams gave the Rebels a 13-8 lead shortly after with a midrange bucket.

Debreasha Powe cut the Ole Miss lead to two points near the end of the opening quarter, but it was Madison Scott scoring the final four points in the first to give Ole Miss a 19-15 lead.

KK Deans hit her first triple of the game to open the second quarter, giving the Rebels a seven point lead. Madina Okot answered on the next possession for Mississippi State, but it was the freshman Sira Thienou hitting another three-pointer for Ole Miss to make a 25-17 lead in a hurry.