McMahon Leads Ole Miss to Victory
In a commanding performance, Cotie McMahon of No. 18 Mississippi matched her career-high by scoring 33 points, leading her team to a decisive 82-61 victory over Missouri on Thursday evening. McMahon, who struggled in her previous game against Georgia, where she scored just nine points, bounced back with an impressive shooting display, going 13 for 23 from the floor and making 6 of 11 from the free-throw line.
Key Contributions from Teammates
Sira Thienou contributed significantly to Ole Miss’s success, achieving a double-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals. Additionally, Latasha Lattimore made her presence felt with 10 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks.
Missouri’s Efforts
For Missouri, Grace Slaughter stood out with a team-high of 21 points alongside seven rebounds, while Shannon Dowell supplemented the efforts with 15 points. Unfortunately for the Tigers, this loss marked their fifth consecutive defeat in the series against Ole Miss.
Game Highlights
The game saw Ole Miss leading by a slender 29-23 margin at halftime. However, they surged ahead in the final quarter, scoring 33 points. After a sluggish start that saw them miss their first shot of the fourth, the Rebels hit 11 consecutive field goals, driving the game away from Missouri. The Tigers faced a drought, failing to score for over five minutes during a crucial stretch where Ole Miss launched on a 13-2 run, establishing a commanding 77-57 lead with just 1:37 on the clock. McMahon was especially lethal in the closing quarter, netting 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting as Thienou chipped in 13, making all four attempts, including three from beyond the arc. Overall, the Rebels finished the night with a robust shooting percentage of 51%, despite their struggles from three-point range, where they converted only 5 of 17 attempts (29%).
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Ole Miss will return home for a matchup against No. 17 Tennessee on Monday, while Missouri will continue their homestand by facing Texas A&M this Sunday.
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