The University of Mississippi Athletics
Friday, November 7
Huntsville, Ala.
7 PM
Ole Miss
at
Alabama A&M
Women’s Basketball Travels to Alabama A&M for First Road Test
11/6/2025 | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss women's basketball will hit the road for the first time in the 2025-26 season, traveling to Huntsville, Alabama for a matchup against Alabama A&M on Friday November 7. Tipoff from the Alabama A&M Event Center will be at 7 p.m. CT, streaming on SWAC TV.
TEAM FACTS
No. 12/14 Ole Miss Rebels (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Yolett McPhee-McCuin • 8th Season at Ole Miss (126-95) • 13th Season in Career (220-158)
Alabama A&M (1-0, 0-0 SWAC)
Head Coach: Dawn E. Thornton • 1st Season at Alabama A&M (1-0) • 9th Season in Career (103-159)
ON THE AIR
Television: SWAC TV
Play-by-Play: Mo Carter
Color: L. Vann Pettaway
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Graham Doty
SERIES HISTORY
Ole Miss and Alabama A&M are reigniting its series after a three-year hiatus, having last played on Nov. 29, 2022. Friday's matchup is the fifth between the Rebels and Lady Bulldogs, with Ole Miss entering the game with a clean 4-0 advantage. The series began in 2007.
The last time the Rebels and Lady Bulldogs faced off, Ole Miss set a then-program record for the fewest points allowed in a game. Ole Miss raced past Alabama A&M, 74-28, from the Pavilion. That record was surpassed twice last season, when Ole Miss held both Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alabama State to just 24 points. Twenty-eight points by an opponent still serves as the second fewest allowed by any Rebel squad in their history. All-time Rebel Madison Scott had a double-double in that game with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Ole Miss has also dropped its third most recent 100-point game against Alabama A&M, which occured 10 seasons ago on Dec. 29, 2015. The Rebels claimed a 103-42 victory off the backs of Bretta Hart and Erika Sisk's 20 and 19 points, respectively. Sisk now serves as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Alabama A&M. Eleven of the 12 dressed Rebels in that game scored at least two points. The 61-point victory still serves as a tie for the fourth widest margin in program history.
In the first matchup on Nov. 20, 2007, the Rebels slipped past the Lady Bulldogs, 73-57, while the next matchup seven seasons later on Dec. 20, 2014, saw Ole Miss claim a 71-47 victory. In the first game, a pair of Rebels (Carla Bartee and Shawn Goff) had double-doubles, while the second game saw what is probably the best individual effort against the Lady Bulldogs, with Tia Faleru dominating with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Alabama A&M is ranked No. 2 in the SWAC preseason rankings, after finishing fourth in offense and second in defense last season in the conference. The Bulldogs return 33.1 percent of scoring from last season, which includes Kalia Walker. Walker was named the preseason SWAC Player of the Year and is the SWAC's returning leading scorer.
Dawn Thornton is entering her second season at the helm of the Bulldog program, after leading them to a 21-11 overall record last season, which includes a 14-4 conference record. Alabama A&M earned its first-ever WNIT berth, where it lost to Chattanooga in the first round.
Walker was honored with an All-SWAC First Team selection last season after averaging 14.6 points per game, which was second best in the conference last season. She scored her 1,000th career point while shooting 37.9 percent from the field and scored in double-digits 21 times, while knocking down 50 3-pointers. Outside of Walker, the Bulldogs return five student-athletes from last season, which includes 6-foot-5 center Moses Davenport.
The Bulldogs are off to a 1-0 start in the new season, with an overwhelming 103-32 victory over Talladega College. The point total matched the most scored in the NCAA Division I era for the Bulldogs, and is the most scored since they had the same amount in 2002 against Savannah State. Four players scored in double-digits.
GAMES AGAINST THE SWAC
Ole Miss has historically dominated SWAC opponents, holding a 97-7 combined record against all members of the conference. The Rebels went 5-0 against SWAC opponents last season, with two of the victories (against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alabama State) setting program records for fewest points allowed. Ole Miss has won the last 19
OLE MISS IN ROAD OPENERS
Over its 50-year history, Ole Miss has found consistent success in its first true road games of each season, posting a 31-20 record to start the year, including a 4-3 mark under head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin.
THE EXPECTATION, NOT THE EXCEPTION
Entering year eight of the Yolett McPhee-McCuin era in Oxford, the standard has been set. Two Sweet 16s in three years, four NCAA Tournaments in a row, four straight 10-win SEC seasons, multiple All-SEC selections and three WNBA Draft picks, the Rebels have re-asserted themselves as a top program in women's college basketball.
TELL A FRIEND TO TELL A FRIEND, WE'RE BACK!
Entering the 2025-26 season, three key players from last year's squad are poised to provide leadership for the nine newcomers. Returning starters in Christeen Iwuala and Sira Thienou are primed to showcase their development from the off-season, while J'Adore Young is ready to return to the court after medically redshirting last season.
PORTAL POWERHOUSE
Branding herself as the portal queen, when players decide to transfer, Coach Yo loves to prove that a home for them is available in Oxford. Preaching the importance of development, players who decide to come to Ole Miss can see their game taken to a new level. Bringing in eight players from the transfer portal this off-season, the Rebels have been recognized as having the second-best transfer class, according to ESPN.
FRESH FACES
Along with bringing in eight transfers, Coach Yo and her staff secured one of the best young talents in Lauren Jacobs to make up this season's newcomer class.
GIVE ME THE NUMBERS
The 2025-26 Ole Miss basketball roster boasts some serious career statistics. Combined this season's Rebel roster has 465 career DI starts, 15 all-conference selections and eight combined Sweet 16 appearances. Collectively, the team possesses 6,961 career points, 2,712 rebounds, 1,116 assists, 694 steals and 342 blocks.
Individually, Denim DeShields, Cotie McMahon and Kaitlin Peterson have each accrued over 1,000 points thus far in their career. Ole Miss is the only NCAA DI women's basketball program in the country to bring in a trio of players via the transfer portal who've reached the century mark in points.
RANKED REBELS
Garnering national recognition in the polls, the Rebels came in at No. 12 in the AP and No. 14 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, marking Ole Miss' highest preseason ranking since the 2023-24 season, the same year McPhee-McCuin first led the Rebels to the Sweet 16. All-time, a preseason AP ranking of No. 12 is the fifth highest for Ole Miss.
IT JUST MEANS MORE
During the 2024-25 season, the Rebels won all seven nonconference games at the SJB Pavilion, the third time Ole Miss has entered conference competition undefeated at home under Coach Yo. Rebel nation has turned the SJB Pavilion into an intimidating environment for visiting teams, especially in the nonconference slate. Ole Miss has won 32 of its last 35 games at home against nonconference opponents, dating back to the 2020 season. The Rebels aim to build on that success with the seven more nonconference matchups on their home court this year.
HOME SWEET HOME
During the 2024-25 season, the Rebels won all seven nonconference games at the SJB Pavilion, the third time Ole Miss has entered conference competition undefeated at home under Coach Yo. Rebel nation has turned the SJB Pavilion into an intimidating environment for visiting teams, especially in the nonconference slate. Ole Miss has won 31 of its last 34 games at home against nonconference opponents, dating back to the 2020 season. The Rebels aim to build on that success with the eight nonconference matchups on their home court this year.
STEALIN' SIRA
Last season, Sira Thienou led the Rebels in pickpocketing balls, earning the most steals per game by any freshman in a power four conference, while also sitting fourth in the SEC and 42nd in the nation with 2.4 steals a game. In conference play, Thienou recorded 47 steals for an average of 2.9 per game. The Bamako, Mali, native will look to elevate her defensive presence this season to match Coach Yo's defensive philosophy.
GIVE
Every season, head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin selects a word for her team to live by, one that embodies their purpose and guides their mindset. This year, that word is "Give." Coach Yo believes true leadership begins with service, and in today's college athletics landscape, where student-athletes receive so much, she emphasizes the importance of giving back. Her goal is to prepare her players not only for success on the court, but also for life beyond basketball, where fulfillment often comes through what you give, not just what you get. Ultimately, Coach Yo challenges her team to give their all not just in competition, but also in the classroom and to one another.
BUILDING BEYOND SCOTT
Madison Scott had an outstanding five-year career at Ole Miss, consistently elevating her game and becoming one of the most exciting players in the SEC. Nationally recognized for her talent, Scott earned a spot on the 2025 All-SEC Second Team, marking her seventh career conference honor, and was recognized as a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American. Additionally, she was awarded the 2025 Gillom Trophy as the best women's basketball player in Mississippi.
Her eye-popping play led her to earn an invite to the WNBA Draft in New York City, where she was ultimately selected with the 14th pick in the second round by the Dallas Wings, but she now currently plays with the Washington Mystics. Coach Yo and the Rebels will have to navigate the season without the steady leadership and veteran presence of Scott, whose impact on and off the court set the tone for Ole Miss the past half-decade.
HISTORY REWRITTEN
Last year, Ole Miss reached the 20-win plateau for a fourth consecutive season and the 22nd time in program history. It marked the first time in the 21st century that Ole Miss has reached at least 20 wins in four straight seasons and first since Van Chancellor led 11 consecutive teams to that mark from 1981-92. Additionally, the Rebels have tallied at least 10 SEC wins in the last four seasons. Coach Yo is the only coach in program history to have at least 20 overall wins and 10 SEC wins in four seasons at the helm.
DIALED IN FROM DEEP
In the first game of the 2025-26 season, the Rebels put on a clinic from long distance, draining 13 threes on a 43.3 percent shooting clip. It surpasses last season's single game best by three and serves as the most since the Rebels clicked on 14 on Dec. 28, 2018, against North Florida. In the first quarter alone, Ole Miss converted five 3-pointers, matching last season's average in threes made per an entire game.
Cotie McMahon paced the team in made threes with four on six attempts (66.7%), followed by Tianna Thompson who made three on four attempts (75.0%). Alongside the leading pair, Debreasha Powe and Sira Thienou each earned two buckets from behind the arc, while Latasha Lattimore and Denim DeShields rounded out the Rebels' 3-point frenzy with one apiece.
Season and single game tickets for the 2025-26 campaign are on sale now. Click here to secure yours today or visit OleMissTix.com.
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.
TEAM FACTS
No. 12/14 Ole Miss Rebels (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
Head Coach: Yolett McPhee-McCuin • 8th Season at Ole Miss (126-95) • 13th Season in Career (220-158)
Alabama A&M (1-0, 0-0 SWAC)
Head Coach: Dawn E. Thornton • 1st Season at Alabama A&M (1-0) • 9th Season in Career (103-159)
ON THE AIR
Television: SWAC TV
Play-by-Play: Mo Carter
Color: L. Vann Pettaway
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Graham Doty
SERIES HISTORY
Ole Miss and Alabama A&M are reigniting its series after a three-year hiatus, having last played on Nov. 29, 2022. Friday's matchup is the fifth between the Rebels and Lady Bulldogs, with Ole Miss entering the game with a clean 4-0 advantage. The series began in 2007.
The last time the Rebels and Lady Bulldogs faced off, Ole Miss set a then-program record for the fewest points allowed in a game. Ole Miss raced past Alabama A&M, 74-28, from the Pavilion. That record was surpassed twice last season, when Ole Miss held both Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alabama State to just 24 points. Twenty-eight points by an opponent still serves as the second fewest allowed by any Rebel squad in their history. All-time Rebel Madison Scott had a double-double in that game with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Ole Miss has also dropped its third most recent 100-point game against Alabama A&M, which occured 10 seasons ago on Dec. 29, 2015. The Rebels claimed a 103-42 victory off the backs of Bretta Hart and Erika Sisk's 20 and 19 points, respectively. Sisk now serves as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Alabama A&M. Eleven of the 12 dressed Rebels in that game scored at least two points. The 61-point victory still serves as a tie for the fourth widest margin in program history.
In the first matchup on Nov. 20, 2007, the Rebels slipped past the Lady Bulldogs, 73-57, while the next matchup seven seasons later on Dec. 20, 2014, saw Ole Miss claim a 71-47 victory. In the first game, a pair of Rebels (Carla Bartee and Shawn Goff) had double-doubles, while the second game saw what is probably the best individual effort against the Lady Bulldogs, with Tia Faleru dominating with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Alabama A&M is ranked No. 2 in the SWAC preseason rankings, after finishing fourth in offense and second in defense last season in the conference. The Bulldogs return 33.1 percent of scoring from last season, which includes Kalia Walker. Walker was named the preseason SWAC Player of the Year and is the SWAC's returning leading scorer.
Dawn Thornton is entering her second season at the helm of the Bulldog program, after leading them to a 21-11 overall record last season, which includes a 14-4 conference record. Alabama A&M earned its first-ever WNIT berth, where it lost to Chattanooga in the first round.
Walker was honored with an All-SWAC First Team selection last season after averaging 14.6 points per game, which was second best in the conference last season. She scored her 1,000th career point while shooting 37.9 percent from the field and scored in double-digits 21 times, while knocking down 50 3-pointers. Outside of Walker, the Bulldogs return five student-athletes from last season, which includes 6-foot-5 center Moses Davenport.
The Bulldogs are off to a 1-0 start in the new season, with an overwhelming 103-32 victory over Talladega College. The point total matched the most scored in the NCAA Division I era for the Bulldogs, and is the most scored since they had the same amount in 2002 against Savannah State. Four players scored in double-digits.
GAMES AGAINST THE SWAC
Ole Miss has historically dominated SWAC opponents, holding a 97-7 combined record against all members of the conference. The Rebels went 5-0 against SWAC opponents last season, with two of the victories (against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alabama State) setting program records for fewest points allowed. Ole Miss has won the last 19
OLE MISS IN ROAD OPENERS
Over its 50-year history, Ole Miss has found consistent success in its first true road games of each season, posting a 31-20 record to start the year, including a 4-3 mark under head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin.
THE EXPECTATION, NOT THE EXCEPTION
Entering year eight of the Yolett McPhee-McCuin era in Oxford, the standard has been set. Two Sweet 16s in three years, four NCAA Tournaments in a row, four straight 10-win SEC seasons, multiple All-SEC selections and three WNBA Draft picks, the Rebels have re-asserted themselves as a top program in women's college basketball.
TELL A FRIEND TO TELL A FRIEND, WE'RE BACK!
Entering the 2025-26 season, three key players from last year's squad are poised to provide leadership for the nine newcomers. Returning starters in Christeen Iwuala and Sira Thienou are primed to showcase their development from the off-season, while J'Adore Young is ready to return to the court after medically redshirting last season.
PORTAL POWERHOUSE
Branding herself as the portal queen, when players decide to transfer, Coach Yo loves to prove that a home for them is available in Oxford. Preaching the importance of development, players who decide to come to Ole Miss can see their game taken to a new level. Bringing in eight players from the transfer portal this off-season, the Rebels have been recognized as having the second-best transfer class, according to ESPN.
FRESH FACES
Along with bringing in eight transfers, Coach Yo and her staff secured one of the best young talents in Lauren Jacobs to make up this season's newcomer class.
GIVE ME THE NUMBERS
The 2025-26 Ole Miss basketball roster boasts some serious career statistics. Combined this season's Rebel roster has 465 career DI starts, 15 all-conference selections and eight combined Sweet 16 appearances. Collectively, the team possesses 6,961 career points, 2,712 rebounds, 1,116 assists, 694 steals and 342 blocks.
Individually, Denim DeShields, Cotie McMahon and Kaitlin Peterson have each accrued over 1,000 points thus far in their career. Ole Miss is the only NCAA DI women's basketball program in the country to bring in a trio of players via the transfer portal who've reached the century mark in points.
RANKED REBELS
Garnering national recognition in the polls, the Rebels came in at No. 12 in the AP and No. 14 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, marking Ole Miss' highest preseason ranking since the 2023-24 season, the same year McPhee-McCuin first led the Rebels to the Sweet 16. All-time, a preseason AP ranking of No. 12 is the fifth highest for Ole Miss.
IT JUST MEANS MORE
During the 2024-25 season, the Rebels won all seven nonconference games at the SJB Pavilion, the third time Ole Miss has entered conference competition undefeated at home under Coach Yo. Rebel nation has turned the SJB Pavilion into an intimidating environment for visiting teams, especially in the nonconference slate. Ole Miss has won 32 of its last 35 games at home against nonconference opponents, dating back to the 2020 season. The Rebels aim to build on that success with the seven more nonconference matchups on their home court this year.
HOME SWEET HOME
During the 2024-25 season, the Rebels won all seven nonconference games at the SJB Pavilion, the third time Ole Miss has entered conference competition undefeated at home under Coach Yo. Rebel nation has turned the SJB Pavilion into an intimidating environment for visiting teams, especially in the nonconference slate. Ole Miss has won 31 of its last 34 games at home against nonconference opponents, dating back to the 2020 season. The Rebels aim to build on that success with the eight nonconference matchups on their home court this year.
STEALIN' SIRA
Last season, Sira Thienou led the Rebels in pickpocketing balls, earning the most steals per game by any freshman in a power four conference, while also sitting fourth in the SEC and 42nd in the nation with 2.4 steals a game. In conference play, Thienou recorded 47 steals for an average of 2.9 per game. The Bamako, Mali, native will look to elevate her defensive presence this season to match Coach Yo's defensive philosophy.
GIVE
Every season, head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin selects a word for her team to live by, one that embodies their purpose and guides their mindset. This year, that word is "Give." Coach Yo believes true leadership begins with service, and in today's college athletics landscape, where student-athletes receive so much, she emphasizes the importance of giving back. Her goal is to prepare her players not only for success on the court, but also for life beyond basketball, where fulfillment often comes through what you give, not just what you get. Ultimately, Coach Yo challenges her team to give their all not just in competition, but also in the classroom and to one another.
BUILDING BEYOND SCOTT
Madison Scott had an outstanding five-year career at Ole Miss, consistently elevating her game and becoming one of the most exciting players in the SEC. Nationally recognized for her talent, Scott earned a spot on the 2025 All-SEC Second Team, marking her seventh career conference honor, and was recognized as a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American. Additionally, she was awarded the 2025 Gillom Trophy as the best women's basketball player in Mississippi.
Her eye-popping play led her to earn an invite to the WNBA Draft in New York City, where she was ultimately selected with the 14th pick in the second round by the Dallas Wings, but she now currently plays with the Washington Mystics. Coach Yo and the Rebels will have to navigate the season without the steady leadership and veteran presence of Scott, whose impact on and off the court set the tone for Ole Miss the past half-decade.
HISTORY REWRITTEN
Last year, Ole Miss reached the 20-win plateau for a fourth consecutive season and the 22nd time in program history. It marked the first time in the 21st century that Ole Miss has reached at least 20 wins in four straight seasons and first since Van Chancellor led 11 consecutive teams to that mark from 1981-92. Additionally, the Rebels have tallied at least 10 SEC wins in the last four seasons. Coach Yo is the only coach in program history to have at least 20 overall wins and 10 SEC wins in four seasons at the helm.
DIALED IN FROM DEEP
In the first game of the 2025-26 season, the Rebels put on a clinic from long distance, draining 13 threes on a 43.3 percent shooting clip. It surpasses last season's single game best by three and serves as the most since the Rebels clicked on 14 on Dec. 28, 2018, against North Florida. In the first quarter alone, Ole Miss converted five 3-pointers, matching last season's average in threes made per an entire game.
Cotie McMahon paced the team in made threes with four on six attempts (66.7%), followed by Tianna Thompson who made three on four attempts (75.0%). Alongside the leading pair, Debreasha Powe and Sira Thienou each earned two buckets from behind the arc, while Latasha Lattimore and Denim DeShields rounded out the Rebels' 3-point frenzy with one apiece.
Season and single game tickets for the 2025-26 campaign are on sale now. Click here to secure yours today or visit OleMissTix.com.
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.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's BasketballPRESSER | Yolett McPhee-McCuin (11-06-25)
Thursday, November 06
PRESSER | Kaitlin Peterson & J'Adore Young (11-06-25)
Thursday, November 06
PRESSER: Debreasha Powe & Cotie McMahon (Norfolk State Postgame)
Monday, November 03
PRESSER: Yolett McPhee-McCuin - Norfolk State Postgame (11-03-25)
Monday, November 03