Ole Miss Eliminated

University of Mississippi Loses to #1 South Carolina 80-51

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The last time Coach Yolett McPhee McCuin and her University of Mississippi Rebels women’s basketball team played against the number 1 South Carolina Gamecocks, the best team in the country, had to go to overtime to beat them.

Saturday did not go that way for the Rebels as they ran into a buzzsaw, getting eliminated from SEC tournament after losing to South Carolina 80-51. 

Carolina jumped all over Mississippi early, getting out to a 19-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, never relenting. They would finish the half up 42-25 and continue to grow their lead in the 2nd half. South Carolina used their size advantage, scoring 54 points in the paint to Ole Miss’s 20. SC also outrebounded Ole Miss 45-32 and scored 17 fast-break points to the Rebels’ 2.

Madison Scott led Ole Miss with 15 points and 4 rebounds. Angel Baker added 9 and 7. 

Steal by @ritaigbokwe leads to an easy two underneath for @IAMMADISCOTT. pic.twitter.com/IkB0XdXdjh

— Ole Miss Women’s BB (@OleMissWBB) March 4, 2023

South Carolina had five players in double figures with Laeticia Amihere leading the way off the bench with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Zia Cooke at 14 points and Ailyah Boston had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

This season was a historical one for Coach McPhee-McCuin and her team as they set a record for conference wins.

Although this loss eliminates them from their conference tournament, they still have a lot of basketball left to play as they expect to be invited to the NCAA Women’s Tournament with an at-large bid.