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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
6-3,0-0SEC
Tennessee State
4-6,0-0OVC
No. 18 Women’s Basketball Trounces Tennessee State at SJB Pavilion
12/8/2024 | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, Miss. – In its first of four-straight home games, No. 18 Ole Miss women’s basketball ran up the score against Tennessee State, defeating the Lady Tigers 85-38 at the SJB Pavilion on Sunday.
The Rebels (6-3, 0-0 SEC) forced 22 turnovers and scored at least 20 points in each quarter. Ole Miss’ 47-point victory over Tennessee State (4-6, 0-0 OVC) marks the third time this season that the Rebels have outscored its opponent by 40 or more points. With this victory, the Rebels have won 28 of their last 31 non-conference matchups at home dating back to the 2020 season.
The Rebels used their trademark defense to hold the Lady Tigers to 3-of-19 from the three-point range. Tennessee State only made 13 field goals, the fewest by the Lady Tigers this season and the third-lowest allowed by the Rebels this season. Forcing Tennessee State to lose the ball 22 times, the Rebels have forced at least 18 turnovers in all nine games thus far. Additionally, with 14 steals, Ole Miss has now reached double figure totals in eight games this season.
Ole Miss also completely eliminated any chance of fast offense for Tennessee State, holding them to no points off of fastbreaks for the entire game.
Senior forwards Madison Scott and Kennedy Todd-Williams paced the team in scoring against the Lady Tigers. Scott put up 16 points to lead the Rebels, setting a season-high mark for the second time in two games. She also pulled in nine rebounds, coming just one rebound shy of her 29th career double-double. Todd-Williams had another big day for the Rebels, contributing 15 points. The Jacksonville, North Carolina, native has now reached double-figure points in each of the last five games.
Only Buckets ??
— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) December 8, 2024
Our @jerseymikes Naismith Women’s College POY Watch List guard Madison Scott put up her 3??rd double digit game of the season in a 1??6?? point showing for an @OleMissWBB W this afternoon??
??: Ole Miss WBB#JerseyMikesNaismith2025 x #NaismithWatchList x… pic.twitter.com/s7j5SLH9GU
Rhema Collins had a career day off the bench. The sophomore forward tallied a career-high 12 points, outscoring her previous career-best by seven points. She also tacked on four rebounds and two blocks against the Lady Tigers.
Sira Thienou paced the team defensively, tying a career-high four steals while scoring 12 points in her fifth career start. With Thienou on the court, the Rebels had a +35-point differential.
Teamwork makes the dream work ??
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) December 8, 2024
1??6?? Points - @IAMMADISCOTT
1??5?? Points - @Ktoddwilli
1??2?? Points - @rhemaco11ins
1??2?? Points - @ThienouSira pic.twitter.com/6s1ewqdnZ4
Starr Jacobs won the opening tipoff and Ole Miss quickly got to work. Todd-Williams connected with Scott on a driving layup for the first points of the game, sparking a 9-0 run for Ole Miss out of the gate. Todd-Williams’ opening assist marked her 100th as a Rebel.
Little 100 piece for Toddy ??
— Ole Miss Women's BB (@OleMissWBB) December 8, 2024
With this bucket by Tam, Toddy got her 100th assist as a Rebel!@Ktoddwilli | #HottyToddy https://t.co/g3ZECKgW4C pic.twitter.com/r02dFP2EvI
The Rebels had one of their most efficient three-point shooting performances in the first quarter, going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Scott contributed to this number, draining her first triple since the season opener against USC. She led the team in the quarter with seven points, while Tameiya Sadler and KK Deans added five points, each.
Thienou made her first three-pointer of the day to kick off the second quarter after a shot clock violation by Tennessee State. Ole Miss outscored Tennessee State 21-11 in the second quarter and forced 10 turnovers, marking the most of the day in any period.
Ole Miss’ defense upped the pressure on Tennessee State from the jump, playing full court press from the first whistle. The defense remained on the gas pedal, as the Rebels didn’t allow the Lady Tigers to move beyond half court for three consecutive possessions to start the second quarter. Tennessee State made two bad passes and lost the ball in that span.
The Rebels aggressiveness resulted in 16 first half turnovers, 10 steals and three shot clock violations. Thienou had all four of her steals in the first half, as the Rebels led the Lady Tigers 44-19 at the halfway mark.
With victory in sight, the Rebels stayed on the attack. Ole Miss went on two separate scoring streaks in the third quarter, which started in the opening three minutes. Thienou scored three points, while Todd-Williams converted on a pair of free-throws. It took over three minutes for Tennessee State to score to start the second half.
Todd-Williams then went on a 6-0 run of her own by scoring two quick layups and knocking down two free throws. She ended the game with a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.
In the fourth quarter, Ole Miss’ defense clamped Tennessee State, allowing a game-low seven points in the quarter. Collins had the best quarter of her career, scoring seven points on 2-for-3 shooting. She converted a tough three-point play to put her in double figures for the first time in her career midway through the quarter.
Christeen Iwuala scored on a jump shot and two free throws to end the game. Her final four points added to the final score of 85-38.
Ole Miss will stay at home for its next game, as it prepares to face South Alabama at the SJB Pavilion on Dec. 15. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+ at 2 p.m. CT.
Single-game tickets for the 2024-25 Ole Miss basketball season are on sale now. To purchase or learn more about buying season or single-game tickets for women’s basketball, click here or contact the Ole Miss Athletics ticket office.
Follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on X at @YolettMcCuin.
Gallery: WBB vs. TSU
