Ole Miss Upsets No. 5 Vanderbilt, Advances to SEC Tournament Semifinals
Ole Miss stunned No. 5 ranked Vanderbilt 89-78 in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals on Friday, securing a spot in the semifinals for the fourth time in the last five years. The victory also gave the Rebels a season sweep of the Commodores, having previously defeated them during a game impacted by a winter storm.
Dominant First Half Sets the Tone
The Rebels dictated the pace from the opening tip, limiting Vanderbilt to just 17 first-half points – the lowest total allowed by the Commodores under coach Shea Ralph. Ole Miss surged to a commanding 49-17 halftime lead, shooting 57.6% from the field. Senior forward Latasha Lattimore led the charge with a perfect 7-for-7 shooting performance in the first half, while Tianna Thompson went 6-for-7.
Rebels Respond to Criticism
The Ole Miss team and coaching staff felt motivated by recent media criticism questioning their ability to disrupt opponents. Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin emphatically stated her team took the criticism personally, and star player Cotie McMahon echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the team’s determination in tournament play. “We just felt like in tournament time, this is we win or go home,” McMahon said.
Key Performances Lead Ole Miss
Latasha Lattimore finished the game with a game-high 28 points off the bench, more than doubling her season average of 10.4 points per game. Cotie McMahon contributed 27 points and seven assists, effectively managing the game despite not having her best shooting night, going 15 of 17 from the free-throw line.
Vanderbilt Struggles and Ejection
Vanderbilt’s leading scorer, Mikayla Blakes, struggled early, missing her first 12 shots and battling foul trouble. She finished with 24 points, with 23 coming in the second half. Coach Shea Ralph was ejected in the fourth quarter after arguing a foul call against Blakes, sparking a late surge from the Commodores. Vanderbilt outscored Ole Miss 37-24 in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to as little as nine points, but ultimately couldn’t overcome the large first-half deficit.
Looking Ahead
Ole Miss will face the winner of the Texas vs. Alabama game in the SEC Tournament semifinals on Saturday. Coach McPhee-McCuin expressed confidence in her team’s ability to compete, stating, “We’re legit, guys.” Ole Miss lost to Texas by only three points and to Alabama by one point earlier this season, both games played on the road. Vanderbilt’s loss likely secures a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for Texas.