In a heart-stopping showdown on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis, the No. 19 Ole Miss women’s basketball team saw their thrilling run come to an end. The Rebels battled fiercely but fell just short against No. 18 Minnesota, losing 65-63 after the Golden Gophers sank a buzzer-beater fadeaway jumper from the elbow as the clock hit zero.
Ole Miss finished with a strong 24-12 overall record and an even 8-8 mark in SEC play, but it was that final shot that stole the spotlight—and broke Rebel hearts.
A Season to Remember for Cotie McMahon
Cotie McMahon capped off a historic season by scoring 15 points in her final game, pushing her total to an incredible 703 points this year. That milestone allowed her to surpass Ole Miss legend Peggie Gillom, claiming the fourth spot on the all-time single-season scoring list for the Rebels. Remarkably, McMahon is the first Rebel since Jennifer Gillom’s legendary 1985-86 campaign (when she set the program record with 742 points) to crack this elite group.
Standout Performances
- Sira Thienou led Ole Miss with 18 points while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out two assists.
- For Minnesota, Mara Braun and Amaya Battle were dominant forces, scoring 17 and 14 points respectively—with Battle delivering the game-winning shot that sealed the upset.
Game Flow: A Battle of Defense and Will
From tip-off, both teams brought intensity and grit. The opening minutes were marked by tight defense and cautious play; each side committed three fouls before even reaching media timeout. Ole Miss edged ahead early thanks to Christeen Iwuala and Thienou’s free throws, followed by Thienou knocking down a corner three-pointer off a perfect feed from Denim DeShields.
But Minnesota wasn’t far behind. With back-to-back baskets in under half a minute, they grabbed their first lead by quarter’s end.
Second Quarter Surges
After navigating early foul trouble, McMahon returned with fire—opening Ole Miss’ second-quarter scoring with a deep three-pointer that nudged her past Gillom on the scoring charts at 693 points for the season.
The Rebels rallied close but couldn’t fully overtake Minnesota as Braun drained consecutive threes to stretch their lead back out. Still, Ole Miss fought hard down the stretch of the half with a five-point run—trailing narrowly at halftime, 32-29.
Momentum Swings in Second Half
Debreasha Powe electrified early third-quarter action with a long-range three to tie things up. Soon after, layups from Iwuala and Powe helped Ole Miss reclaim control—Powe’s basket sparked by a fastbreak turnover forced by relentless Rebel defense.
DeShields added another corner three—the fifth of the game for Ole Miss—pushing their lead to two possessions. After an exchange of triples between both squads, McMahon and Thienou powered through layups that extended their cushion to an eight-point advantage at 54-46 with ten minutes remaining.
Final Quarter Drama
Ole Miss’ defense stood tall again early in the fourth quarter, holding Minnesota scoreless on its first five attempts before media timeout. Both teams managed just two points each during that stretch—the Gophers from free throws; Rebels on another Thienou layup.
However, fate shifted when McMahon fouled out with over four minutes left—a turning point as Minnesota mounted its comeback surge. Braun tied it up with a clutch three-pointer just over one minute remaining. The teams traded layups afterward until Amaya Battle’s fadeaway jumper from the elbow found nothing but net at buzzer time—ending what had been an exhilarating battle.
Despite falling short in dramatic fashion, Ole Miss closes out one of its most memorable seasons yet:
- Fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance
- Fifteenth trip ever—and third in four years—to round two
- Fifth-highest team point total in school history
- Sixth-most made threes in program history
This season was more than just wins or losses—it was about breaking records, leaving legacies like Cotie McMahon’s remarkable journey, and showcasing Rebel pride on basketball’s biggest stage. Though this chapter has ended bittersweetly, there is no doubt that Ole Miss women’s basketball continues to build something special—and exciting days lie ahead.