Ole Miss Women’s Basketball opened SEC conference play Thursday with a dominant 79-62 victory over previously undefeated Georgia at the Sandy & John Black Pavilion in Oxford. No. 15 ranked Rebels remain undefeated under the leadership of Cotie McMahon, whose stellar performance set the tone for the entire game. The Lady Bulldogs suffered their first defeat of the season in what proved to be a decisive conference opener.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Final Score: Ole Miss 79, Georgia 62 — a 17-point dominant victory on Thursday afternoon
- Cotie McMahon Led: 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, marking her eighth game over 20 points this season
- Historic Achievement: Ole Miss scored 79 points against Georgia, the most since 1996 and only fourth most in series history
- Consecutive Wins: Rebels extended winning streak to 5 games against Georgia — longest series streak in program history
McMahon Carries Rebels to Dominant SEC Opener Performance
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Cotie McMahon delivered a masterclass in scoring efficiency with 24 points on 7-for-20 shooting, adding 8 rebounds and 5 assists in the Thursday afternoon contest. This marked her eighth game this season with over 20 points, a remarkable achievement matching pace from the 2009-10 season. McMahon also extended her impressive double-digit scoring streak to all 16 games this season, putting her on pace to challenge Nikki Byrd’s record of 17 consecutive games dating back to 2011-12.
The senior star demonstrated her complete offensive repertoire throughout all four quarters, particularly dominating the crucial third quarter with 11 points in just 10 minutes. Her performance set the standard for the entire Ole Miss roster, forcing Georgia’s defense into difficult adjustments. Five Rebels reached double figures in scoring, showcasing the balanced offensive attack that’s been key to their undefeated start.
Five Rebels Score in Double Figures as Offensive Balance Dominates
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Cotie McMahon | 24 | 8 | 5 |
| Latasha Lattimore | 13 | 5 | — |
| Christeen Iwuala | 12 | 7 | — |
| Kaitlin Peterson | 10 | — | — |
| Debreasha Powe | 10 | — | — |
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Latasha Lattimore contributed 13 points and 5 rebounds, while extending her impressive block streak to 10 consecutive games — the longest such streak since Rita Igbokwe in 2023-24. Lattimore’s defensive presence was felt throughout the contest with her presence at the rim forcing Georgia into difficult decisions. Christeen Iwuala returned from missing the final nonconference game to add 12 points and 7 rebounds, providing crucial frontcourt depth.
Bench production proved invaluable, with Kaitlin Peterson immediately making an impact off the bench by scoring 10 points on 3-for-5 shooting, including 2-for-3 from three-point range. Debreasha Powe also finished with 10 points, going a perfect 3-for-3 from the field in the crucial third quarter when the Rebels pulled away decisively.
Third Quarter Explosion Builds 14-Point Lead for Ole Miss
The turning point came in the third quarter when Ole Miss unleashed a dominant offensive display. The Rebels scored 28 points in the third quarter alone — the most Georgia has allowed any opponent in a single quarter all season. This explosive quarter featured McMahon’s career-best performance in limited time, with Powe also contributing eight points on spectacular three-point shooting.
Georgia fought back in the opening minutes of the quarter, but Debreasha Powe triggered a scoring run with a three-pointer that ignited the Ole Miss offense. The Rebels scored 11 unanswered points in the span of just three minutes, establishing complete control of the contest. By the end of the quarter, Ole Miss held a commanding 62-48 lead that proved insurmountable for the visiting Bulldogs.
Defensive Strength and Free Throw Execution Seal Victory in Fourth Quarter
Despite Georgia’s efforts to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, Ole Miss’s defensive intensity remained unchanged. The Rebels forced 2 blocks and 2 steals in the final period while maintaining their free-throw efficiency. Ole Miss converted 13 of 17 free throws in the fourth quarter alone, demonstrating composure and discipline when the game was on the line.
Georgia’s Lady Bulldogs fell to 0-1 in SEC play after entering Thursday undefeated at 14-1. The Rebels improved to 14-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play, setting a strong foundation for their SEC campaign. Ole Miss takes its first road trip of conference season to face Texas on January 4 at 2 p.m. Central Time, with the game broadcast on ESPN2.
Sources
- Ole Miss Athletics – Official game recap and statistical data
- Southeastern Conference (SEC Sports) – Conference news and standings information
- ESPN – Game coverage and statistical analysis
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.