Thursday evening, the No. 19 Ole Miss women’s basketball team faced off against the Florida Gators at Exactech Arena at Stephen O’Connell Center. Despite a standout performance from Tianna Thompson, who scored a career-high 25 points, the Rebels fell short with a final score of 74-67.
Thompson Shines Bright
Tianna Thompson was undoubtedly the star of the night for Ole Miss (21-9, 8-7 SEC). With seven three-pointers made, she tied for the fourth-most triples in a single game in program history. This impressive feat has not been achieved by an Ole Miss player since Torri Lewis did it against Alabama on February 11, 2018.
Thompson’s offensive prowess kept her team competitive throughout the game. Behind her were Cotie McMahon and Christeen Iwuala, contributing significantly with 15 and 10 points respectively. Notably, McMahon reached double-digit scoring marks for the 28th time this season—an achievement last seen by Crystal Allen during the 2018-19 season.
Defensive Milestone for Lattimore
Latasha Lattimore also made headlines by reaching a significant milestone in blocks. Her two blocks against Florida brought her total to 66 this season, tying her with Shakira Austin for third-most blocks by any Rebel in a single season. Austin set this record during her standout year in the 2021-22 season.
Game Overview: A Tale of Two Halves
The first quarter began with both teams struggling offensively as defense dominated play. Neither team surpassed ten points until midway through when Thompson hit her first three-pointer to put Ole Miss ahead momentarily. By the end of the first quarter, they held a narrow lead at 17-16.
As momentum shifted into the second period, Ole Miss found its rhythm offensively. A layup from Lattimore and another three from Debreasha Powe helped propel them forward. However, Florida responded well and managed to take a slight lead into halftime after making key shots down the stretch.
Florida continued its strong play into the third quarter, pushing their lead while Ole Miss relied on free throws to stay close. Iwuala’s explosive six-point run tied up the game briefly before Florida regained control and ended the quarter leading 55-50.
The final quarter saw Florida open with an impressive run that extended their lead to as much as fourteen points. Despite Thompson’s valiant efforts—including two more three-pointers that cut into Florida’s lead—Ole Miss couldn’t overcome their deficit as Florida secured their victory.
Looking Ahead: Senior Day Celebration
As they regroup after this tough loss, Ole Miss will focus on their upcoming regular-season finale against Texas A&M on Sunday, March 1st. This game is particularly special as it will be Senior Day—a time to honor departing players who have contributed greatly to the program’s success over their careers.
Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and fans can catch all of the action streamed live on SECN+. The Rebels will aim to end their regular season on a high note as they prepare for postseason play.