Ole Miss women’s basketball secured a significant victory over Vanderbilt on Friday afternoon in Birmingham, Alabama, defeating the No. 5/6 ranked Commodores 83-75. The win marks the second time this season that head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has led the Rebels to a victory against a top five opponent, with the previous win coming against Oklahoma earlier in January.
With this result, Ole Miss (18-4, 5-2 SEC) extended its winning streak against Vanderbilt (20-2, 6-2 SEC) to six games, which is now the longest such streak in the history of their series. The Rebels were able to limit Vanderbilt’s three-point shooting, holding them to just four made shots from beyond the arc at a 25 percent success rate. Vanderbilt had been averaging nearly ten three-pointers per game prior to this matchup.
Cotie McMahon led Ole Miss with 27 points and contributed three assists and four rebounds. Christeen Iwuala added 18 points and matched her career-high with 14 rebounds, earning her eighth double-double of the season. Iwuala also led the team in blocks and steals during her 35 minutes on the court and shot over 72 percent from the field.
Latasha Lattimore and Kaitlin Peterson also reached double figures in scoring for Ole Miss with 12 and 11 points respectively.
The Rebels established an early lead in the first quarter and maintained control through much of the first half, entering halftime ahead by 19 points. In the second half, Vanderbilt mounted a comeback attempt but Ole Miss managed to maintain their advantage through free throws and timely baskets.
The final moments saw Debreasha Powe make two free throws to extend Ole Miss’s lead before Cotie McMahon sealed the win with two more from the line.
Ole Miss will remain in Birmingham for another neutral site game against Auburn. That contest is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT tipoff and will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
Tickets for single games during the current campaign are available for purchase online at OleMissTix.com.
“Rebs take down #5 Vanderbilt in Birmingham.#HottyToddy x #Givepic.twitter.com/WlRwT0rgd3,” stated Ole Miss Women’s BB (@OleMissWBB).
“Christeen comes out with a double-double early in the second half! ??@christeeniwuala x #HottyToddy x #Givepic.twitter.com/nKRrtplPmS,” shared Ole Miss Women’s BB (@OleMissWBB).
“What in the name of Michael Jordan is going on around here?” #HottyToddy x #Givepic.twitter.com/BajnEdyN8p,” commented Ole Miss Women’s BB (@OleMissWBB).
“Right at the buzzer ?? #HottyToddy x #Givepic.twitter.com/M3ijNk3VCg,” posted Ole Miss Women’s BB (@OleMissWBB).
“Denim hitting the home run#HottyToddy x #Givepic.twitter.com/331hr10uzN,” tweeted Ole Miss Women’s BB (@OleMissWBB).
“Dubs in the chat ?? #HottyToddy x #Givepic.twitter.com/5c4s7rAgXu,” wrote Ole Miss Women’s BB (@OleMissWBB).
