NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Two Bahamians are advancing to the Sweet 16 round of the NBA Women’s and Men’s Basketball Tournaments.
The University of Mississippi, coached by Grand Bahama’s Yolett “Coach Yo” McPhee McCuin pulled of an upset of historical proportions when her 8-seeded Rebels beat the 1-seed Stanford Cardinal 54-49.
Stanford was heavily favored coming into this matchup having gone 29 and 5 on the season before snagging the 1 seed in the tournament.
Ole Miss, despite shooting only 29 percent from the field, hounded the Cardinal defensively, holding them to 32 percent from the field and a measly 28 percent from 3. They also harassed Stanford’s ball handlers forcing 21 turnovers.
The first half of the game was back and forth with Mississippi finishing the half up 29-20 Ole Miss was in control for most of the third quarter leading by as much as 12 with 4:20 left.
The Cardinal would mount a comeback in the 4th, scoring 49-4 with 22 seconds left in the game, thanks to a free throw by Cameron Brink.
After that, all the Cardinal could do is foul. The Rebels made all their free throws. Game, Rebels.
Angel Baker was Ole Miss’s leading scorer with 13 points. She added 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Marquesha Davis added 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Cameron Brink had 20 for Stanford.
They will take on the winner of Louisville/Texas tonight.
On the men’s side, Frederick King of Mangrove Cay Andros and his team, the Creighton Bluejays beat Baylor 85-76 to advance to the Men’s Sweet 16. The freshman played 5 minutes off the bench, recording 1 rebound.
Aaron Nembhard, brother of Buddy Hield’s teammate, Andrew Nembhard scored 30 to lead Creighton past the 2021 champs.
Creighton will face up against Princeton, coming off a stunning upset over Missouri, on Friday.