Texas A&M women’s basketball, hot off a four-game winning streak, took on No.19 Ole Miss at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion in Oxford, Mississippi. The Aggies, who began Southeastern Conference play just 1-8, saw a tremendous turnaround leading up to the end of the regular season. The momentum from their winning streak carried them to their fifth-straight win on Sunday, March 1, as they defeated the Rebels 66-58 after holding the lead for the entirety of the matchup.
The Fightin’ Farmers had a strong start, closing out the first quarter 23-13. The Aggies had a 69% shooting percentage and experienced a 10-0 run for four minutes in the opening frame. Senior guard Ny’Ceara Pryor totaled seven points and three assists, helping A&M maintain its fast-paced play throughout the quarter.
The Rebels, experiencing their longest winning streak of the season, struggled to match the pace and scoring of the Aggies. They managed 13 points in the opening quarter, with senior forward Cotie McMahon leading the team with five.
Ole Miss came into the second quarter piping hot, scoring the first eight points and closing the gap to only two points. The Red and Blue was led by sophomore G Tianna Thompson with six points and senior F Jayla Murray with four rebounds. Despite the Rebels’ fight, they were unable to gain a lead during the first half as their scoring slowed down toward the middle of the second quarter.
Junior F Fatmata Janneh was a crucial player for A&M with 11 points and four rebounds in an outstanding first half. Closing out the quarter with her third successful 3-pointer, Janneh extended the lead to 37-30 heading into halftime.
Tensions were high in the third quarter as the Rebels fought hard to change the trajectory of the game. Six fouls were called on A&M, Janneh, alarmingly accounted for three of them with Pryor, freshman G Chaney Spencer and freshman F Anita Franchini each receiving one of their own.
Emotions were high not only among players but with coaches and fans as well. Even frustration expressed by Ole Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin led her to receive a warning from the referees.
Heightened emotions carried into the fourth quarter as the Rebels made a complete 180, portraying new-found momentum and urgency compared to the first three quarters of the game.
The crowd in Oxford erupted as McMahon scored four points early in the fourth quarter followed by an A&M turnover, closing the gap to two and turning the tide for Ole Miss. The Rebels, not giving up the game yet, relied heavily on McMahon, one of their most prominent players, scoring a team-high seven points in the fourth quarter contributing to her overall 19 points during the contest.
The Aggies, whose potential appearance in the NCAA tournament and seeding in the SEC Tournament depended on this game, showed up and showed out in their final regular season matchup. The Maroon and White maintained the lead for the entirety of the game with the largest being 13 points in the third quarter. A&M, which has been extremely underestimated in this last leg of the season, proved once again that it has the ability to match and outperform ranked teams.
The Maroon and White’s 66-58 win was led once again in scoring, rebounds and assists by the dynamic duo of Pryor and Janneh. Pryor accounted for 16 points and six assists, while Janneh achieved her fifth consecutive double-double.
Other Aggies with impressive performances included junior G Salese Blow who totaled 11 points. Despite the upset loss for the Rebels, Thompson put up the second-most for the team with 12 points along with two rebounds.
Although a lot was on the line for both teams heading into this contest, the Rebels demonstrated great kindness by including the Aggies in their senior night festivities. Ole Miss will say goodbye to seven of its players following its senior seasons and paid respect to A&M’s four seniors by gifting them flowers before the game.
Claiming the No. 10 seed, A&M is set to take on No. 15-seed Auburn in the SEC Tournament on Wednesday, March 4, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, with tip-off set for 5 p.m.
