Coach Yo, company secure season-defining win over Tennessee

The Lady Rebels won out against the Tennessee Volunteers on Sunday, Jan. 28, earning Ole Miss a 5-2 conference record. With conference play now in full effect, the Lady Rebels seem to have found their identity. Their pesky defense, complemented by the players’ fast-paced style, has been a nightmare for opposing teams to manage.

Heading into this game on a two-win streak, Ole Miss insisted on keeping the mojo going. 

The Lady Volunteers were a good match for the home team. Both teams have players who can score from everywhere on the floor, which kept the game interesting from start to finish.

Senior guard Jewel Spear led Tennessee in scoring, tallying 30 points throughout the game. Multiple Ole Miss players scored in the double-figures. Forward/guard Madison Scott managed a double-double, while senior guard Marquesha Davis and sophomore forward Kharyssa Richardson combined for 44 points. 

Davis shone like a star on the court. She picked up right where she left off last week in Ole Miss’ win against the Georgia Bulldogs, making an impact from everywhere on the floor. Davis has made her presence known as one of the most prolific scorers in the SEC.

The spark plug for the team is none other than Richardson. She shot a remarkable 90% from the field and 100% from deep, an insanely efficient shooting performance that catapulted the Rebels over the Volunteers. 

Senior guard Kennedy Todd-Williams was a monster on both sides of the ball, filling up the stat sheet and dictating every aspect of the game. She finished with 12 points, seven assists and two steals. Those steals were crucial during the final minutes of action and helped the Lady Rebels secure the win.

This victory was a direct reflection of Ole Miss’ identity: toughness. This team is relentless on defense and is very difficult to stop once they start to push the pace of the game.

Simply put, the Lady Rebels are playing must-see basketball at the moment. It appears that they will continue to be a force as SEC play continues.

Ole Miss Women’s Basketball will travel to Nashville, Tenn. to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in their next matchup. The game will take place at Memorial Gymnasium and will tip off at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1.

Streaming will be available on SEC Network+ and play-by-play will be available on 105.1 FM.