The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
24-8,12-4SEC
#10 Marquette
23-9,11-7Big East
Women’s Basketball Grinds out NCAA Tournament First Round Victory over Marquette
3/23/2024 | Women's Basketball
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Highlighted by a season-best performance from Tyia Singleton, No. 7 Ole Miss women's basketball utilized its signature defense to push past No. 10 Marquette, 67-55 in the First Round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The Rebels advance to the Second Round in back-to-back seasons and for the 13th time.
Dropping a personal best in an NCAA Tournament game with 20 points, Madison Scott led Ole Miss (24-8, 12-4 SEC) in a back-and-forth affair over Marquette (23-9, 11-7 BIG EAST). With a defensive stand in the fourth quarter, the Rebels outscored the Golden Eagles 18-9 to put away the game.
Along with her 20 points for her fifth 20-piece of the year, Scott snagged six rebounds and dished out a team-high four assists. Leading the Rebels off the boards, Rita Igbokwe grabbed nine overall, including seven offensive rebounds. Re-entering the starting lineup, Singleton totaled a season-best 12 points and added seven rebounds. For the ninth consecutive game, Kennedy Todd-Williams tallied double-figures in scoring with 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Off the bench, Kharyssa Richardson led the reserves with 10 points for her sixth game this season in double-digits.
Driving in the paint, Ole Miss relied on the inside to find buckets in the opening minutes against Marquette. As the Golden Eagles took off on a 6-0 run, the Rebels found themselves facing a rare early deficit. Through the power of Igbokwe, Ole Miss closed the gap to two, trailing 16-14 through one.
Hitting its first three of the day, Ole Miss re-grabbed the lead within the opening minutes of the second quarter to kick-start a 10-0 run. Expanding its hold, the Rebels defensive pressure led to offensive success to go ahead by as many as six. The Golden Eagles refused to go away, and capitalized at the free-throw line to force a one-possession game. Ole Miss' defensive efforts kept Marquette without a field goal for over three out of the final four minutes of the half for the Rebels to maintain their lead, 36-33 at the break.
As the Rebels faced a scoring drought, the Golden Eagles snuck back ahead midway through the third frame. Back-to-back buckets from Ole Miss pushed the Rebels back in front, as Scott and Richardson controlled the pace by holding Marquette scoreless for close to four minutes. Forcing six Marquette turnovers in the quarter, Ole Miss maintained a narrow margin ahead at 49-46.
Scott remained the reliable scoring option for the Rebels, as they worked to stave off the Golden Eagles in the final minutes. Locking down Marquette's ability to score, Ole Miss led by as many as 11 in the closing quarter to begin to put away the game. Holding Marquette to one field goal within the last two minutes, Ole Miss ran away with the 67-55 win to advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
Ole Miss advances to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year and the 13th time in school history. The Rebels meet host No. 2 Notre Dame for the first meeting between the schools on Monday (March 25), at 1:00 CT on ESPN.
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
