The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

YOLETT McPhee- McCuin has led Ole Miss Rebels to a six-game winning streak and their first in-season tournament since 2014.

The Rebels claimed the BAR Invitational title with a 64-45 win over the California Golden Bears Saturday at Haas Pavilion in Berkley, California.

Ole Miss improved to 6-1 with their first win over a power five opponent this season. It was the first loss of the season for California who fell to 5-1.

Defensively, they limited the Bears to just 23 percent shooting from the field and 11 percent from three-point range. It was the fourth time this season the Rebels limited opponents to less than 50 points.

In the first round of the event, the Rebels defeated San Diego State 62-48. The Golden Bears defeated Furman 82-73 in the first round. According to the organisation, the Raising the BAR, powered by Cal, hopes to “elevate the voices, stories and people in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging space.”

The acronym BAR stands for Basketball, Activism and Representation.

After a loss to Belmont in the home opener, the Rebels have reeled off their most wins in the month of November since 2017 and picked up its first in-season tournament title since winning the Nugget Classic in 2014.

“I was very nervous that was our first game, that kind of test out the gate. That’s on me but I needed to see where we were so we know where to go,” McPhee-McCuin said after the loss to Belmont.

“I needed us to have this type of film and be tested the way that we could. Easily I could have started off with another type of opponent, but this was intentional because we want to be an NCAA Tournament team.”

The Rebels were listed at No.6 in the SEC Preseason Coaches Poll, the highest projection in programme history since the conference began the practice in 2007-08.

Ole Miss was also picked to finish eighth in the SEC Preseason Media Poll, its best in that poll since 2015-16.

“We’re deep in a lot of positions. We have a lot of experience. I couldn’t tell you who our starting five would be today,” McPhee- McCuin said following the team’s first practice,

“They’re competing really hard. We’re excited. We have high expectations. We’ll be ready to compete...

“This year is going to show that we’re going to be around for a long time.”

The Rebels will look to extend their win streak to seven when they host New Orleans.