No. 23 Ole Miss Women’s Basketball Falls to Texas in SEC Tournament Semifinals

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The University of Mississippi women’s basketball team, ranked No. 23, was eliminated from the SEC Tournament after an 85-68 loss to No. 4 Texas on Saturday evening at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

The Rebels (23-11, 8-8 SEC) trailed by double digits in the first half but mounted a comeback in the third quarter. However, Texas responded with strong offensive surges in the final period to seal the victory. Ole Miss had previously advanced to the semifinals by defeating Vanderbilt in the quarterfinals.

Cotie McMahon and Denim DeShields led the Rebels with 20 points each, combining for 15 field goals. McMahon’s performance marked her 19th game of at least 20 points this season, tying her with Bianca Thomas for the second most in a single season by an Ole Miss player. McMahon now has 675 points this season, closing in on the school record. DeShields added a season-high 20 points, along with five assists and a clutch three-pointer at the end of the third quarter.

The game saw Texas’s full-court pressure disrupt Ole Miss early, but the Rebels found offensive rhythm once past midcourt. Despite a strong second quarter that gave Texas a 42-32 lead at halftime, Ole Miss rallied in the third quarter. Latasha Lattimore hit consecutive threes, and Ole Miss narrowed the gap to two points before Texas regained control in the final minutes.

Ole Miss will return to Oxford and await its postseason fate during Selection Sunday on March 15. The team plans to host a watch party at the SJB Pavilion that evening, with details to be announced later. The Rebels’ season concludes with a 23-11 record and eight SEC wins.

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