Ole Miss Women’s Basketball advances to NCAA second round with win over Gonzaga

MINNEAPOLIS — The No. 19/20 Ole Miss women’s basketball team led from start to finish, defeating Gonzaga 81-66 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday afternoon in Minneapolis.

The Rebels (24-11, 8-8 SEC) built as much as a 33-point lead over the Bulldogs (24-10, 14-4 WCC), thanks to strong defense and balanced scoring. Four Ole Miss players scored in double figures, including senior Cotie McMahon, who set a school record with her 33rd game this season with at least 10 points. She finished with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists, and a block and steal.

Ole Miss’s defense was dominant throughout, marking a program-record nine blocks in a NCAA Tournament game — surpassing the previous record of seven set in 1995. The Rebels also tallied 14 steals and outshot Gonzaga, which scored only 37 points through three quarters, a season low for the Bulldogs.

Sira Thienou made a significant impact returning from injury, leading the team with 12 points, along with eight rebounds, four blocks, and three steals. Her block total tied for the second most in a single NCAA Tournament game by a Rebel, matching legends Susan Byrd and Cynthia Autry, and was the most by a Rebel in a tournament since 1995.

Latasha Lattimore led all scorers with 15 points, including two three-pointers. Denim DeShields added 12 points and made a crucial and-one play late in the third quarter. Debreasha Powe opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and Ole Miss quickly established an early double-digit lead, holding Gonzaga scoreless for the first several minutes.

Gonzaga struggled offensively, missing its first seven shots and shooting only 1-for-7 in the second quarter. Ole Miss increased its lead to 20-9 after the first quarter and extended it to 39-23 at halftime. The Rebels continued to pour it on after the break, leading by as many as 32 points in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs mounted a late rally in the fourth quarter, scoring 29 points to cut the deficit, but Ole Miss held on for the 81-66 victory. The Rebels will face the winner of Sunday’s game between Minnesota and Green Bay in the second round, with details to be announced later.

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