Ole Miss Beats Gonzaga 81-66 to Advance in NCAA Tourney

The lights shine brightest in March, and the No. 5 seed Ole Miss Rebels proved they were more than ready for the spotlight. Bringing an unrelenting physical presence to the hardwood, Ole Miss defeated the No. 12 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs 81-66 in the opening round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.

If you are a fan of hard-nosed, defensive basketball that translates into efficient offense, this game was a masterclass. The victory keeps the Rebels’ postseason dreams alive as they march into the Round of 32, while simultaneously bringing an impressive 24-10 season to a close for the Bulldogs.

A Physical Start Sets the Tone

Ole Miss had a more aggressive game plan that completely disrupted Gonzaga’s offensive rhythm. The goal for the Rebels was to apply heavy pressure, contesting every pass and dominating the painted area. That is what they did in the first half of this game.

First Half Dominance

The Rebels took a commanding 20-9 lead by the end of the first quarter. Gonzaga struggled mightily against the sheer size and speed of Ole Miss. Once the turnovers began to mount for the Bulldogs, and the Rebels capitalized by scoring easy points in transition.

The decisive stretch of the game actually arrived just before halftime. Ole Miss engineered a blistering 14-4 run, capped off by a massive three-pointer from Cotie McMahon. That sequence ballooned the lead to 39-23 heading into the break, forcing Gonzaga to play desperate basketball for the remainder of the afternoon.

Bulldogs Show Fight in the Second Half

To their credit, the Bulldogs refused to go down quietly. Gonzaga started to rally in the fourth quarter, highlighted by a staggering 22-2 run. However, it was too late as Ole Miss first half lead proved too large to overcome. The Bulldogs had some fight, and they did not quit, but the Rebels’ defense was too much to overcome.

Key Performers on the Court

Basketball is a team game, but several individual efforts stood out in this high-stakes tournament battle.

Ole Miss Standouts

The Rebels benefited from a deeply balanced offensive attack. Latasha Lattimore led the charge with a team-high 15 points, using her excellent footwork in the low post and hitting timely outside shots. Cotie McMahon provided her signature veteran leadership, adding 13 points and serving as the emotional anchor during Gonzaga’s late surge.

Man, what a performance for Sira Theinou. She may have been dealing with a bone bruise, but she played fine in this game. She anchored the paint with 12 points, eight rebounds, and four blocked shots. Denim DeShields also chipped in a solid 11 points and four assists, keeping the offense organized and fluid. There is a lot of solid pieces on this Ole Miss team.

Gonzaga’s Bright Spots

Despite the loss, Gonzaga’s Allie Turner put on an absolute shooting clinic. She poured in a game-high 27 points, draining five three-pointers and shooting a flawless 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Lauren Whittaker showed tremendous grit by pulling down 13 rebounds, while Jaiden Haile added 11 points and eight boards in limited action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the game?

Ole Miss defeated Gonzaga by a final score of 81-66.

Who led Gonzaga in scoring?

Allie Turner led the Bulldogs, finishing the game with 27 points and five made three-pointers.

Who Does Ole Miss Face Next?

Ole Miss will take on No. 4 Seed Minnesota

Looking Ahead to the Round of 32

Next up, the Rebels will face the No. 4 seed Minnesota in the Round of 32. For Gonzaga, the season ends, but the future remains incredibly bright. The Bulldogs proved they belong on the national stage, and the lessons learned from battling a physical SEC team will undoubtedly serve their returning veterans well next season.