The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
23-8,12-4SEC
#8 LSU
28-4,13-3SEC
Women’s Basketball Unable to Surpass LSU in SEC Tournament Semifinals
3/9/2024 | Women's Basketball
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Facing off against No. 2 seeded LSU in its second meeting this season, Ole Miss could not complete the comeback against the eighth ranked Tigers in the SEC Tournament Semifinals, falling 75-67 from Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Saturday.
Although Ole Miss (23-8, 12-4 SEC) Marquesha Davis and Madison Scott pieced together 20-point games, the Rebels could not slow down the defending national champions in LSU (28-4, 14-2 SEC) and make their second comeback of the weekend.
Leading all scorers, Scott dropped 22 points and paced the Rebels with seven rebounds and dished out four assists. Eclipsing the 1,000 career-point threshold with 21 points, Davis totaled her eighth 20-piece game of the season. Rounding out in double-figures, Kennedy Todd-Williams finished with 16 points for her eighth consecutive game in double-digit scoring.
As LSU opened up by hitting its first four shots from the field, Ole Miss forced pressure early to earn trips to the free throw line and remain within close range of the Tigers. Although shots couldn't seem to fall for the Rebels, Ole Miss' defense allowed it to remain within single digits through the first quarter at 19-12.
Picking up right where she left off from the night before, Davis remained the engine to the Rebel offense while Scott began to heat up to close the gap on the Tigers to pull within four at the 6:30 mark of the second quarter. Due to LSU's aggressive play in the paint, the Tigers extended its grasp by as many as 11. Closing the half on a 5-2 run highlighted by Ole Miss' first three of the night from Zakiya Stephenson, the Rebels brought the game within eight at the break, trailing 36-28.
Ready to go, Ole Miss forced a one-possession game just two minutes into the second half. Limiting the Tigers without a field goal for a three minute stretch, the Rebels remained neck-and-neck of LSU at 43-37 midway through the third. Even though Ole Miss struggled to maintain possession of the ball, the Rebels proved to be more comfortable in the paint as they worked to make a comeback. An 8-2 run from Ole Miss within the third's closing minutes gave the Rebels a spark, trailing 53-51 heading into the fourth.
Following a 7-0 LSU run to lead Ole Miss by nine, Todd-Williams cut back into it with her first drained three of the night. However, LSU shot back with a made triple of its own to extend its advantage beyond two possessions. Despite Todd-Williams draining another three and holding LSU to a two minute scoring drought, LSU sealed the win at the free-throw line to send Ole Miss home, 75-67.
The Rebels now await Selection Sunday (March 17) to determine its fate in making their third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. Ole Miss will find out where it's headed to next on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. CT.
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
