The Ole Miss women’s basketball team is heading to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2007.
Behind double-digit performances from Angel Baker (13 points), Marquesha Davis (12 points), and Madison Scott (11 points), the 8-seed Rebels knocked off 1-seed Stanford Sunday night by a score of 54-49. It was the first win for Ole Miss against a No. 1 seed in seven tries.
“I’m so proud of our team. We make a lot of sacrifices, and so for us to be rewarded in this win in this fashion, it means the world to me,” Rebels head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin told ESPN after the game. “This is for all the people with a dollar and a dream,”
Ole Miss (25-8, 11-5 SEC) jumped out to an 18-13 lead over Stanford (29-6, 15-3 PAC-12) through one quarter. The Rebels remained strong in the second and went into the locker room with a 29-20 lead – the first team this season to have a halftime lead over the Cardinal at Stanford Maples Pavilion.
The nation’s top rebounding team did not go away though as the Cardinal stormed back with All-American Cameron Brink scoring four in a row to make it a one-possession game at 44-41 with 8:40 remaining in the fourth.
After a short run from Ole Miss, eight straight points for Stanford evened the game up at 49-49 with a little over one minute left in the game. The Rebel’s Taylor then picked off a Cardinal pass before knocking down back-to-back free throws to regain the lead with 22 seconds to play. Another forced turnover and two more free throws from Davis sealed the win and secured Ole Miss’ spot in Seattle for the Sweet Sixteen.
The Rebels, who went the entire season without being ranked by AP voters, will face off against the winner of Louisville and Texas on Friday, March 24.
Mississippi State women fall to Notre Dame in NCAA Tournament second round
