The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

YOLETT McPhee-McCuin and her Ole Miss Rebels women’s basketball programme had their Southeastern Conference Tournament run end in the semifinal against the top ranked team in the nation and now look ahead to continue their postseason run with an at large bid for the NCAA Tournament.

In its first SEC Tournament Semifinal game appearance in 29 years, Ole Miss suffered a 61-51 loss to the no.1 South Carolina Gamecocks Saturday afternoon at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ole Miss will await its postseason fate until Selection Sunday on March 13, as the Rebels hope to seek an at large bid to the NCAA Tournament for its first appearance since 2007.

In their third matchup against the Gamecocks this season, it was South Carolina’s slimmest margin of victory.

In a January 27 matchup, South Carolina won 69-40, followed by a 71-57 win on February 27. “We are still trying to figure out how to grow in times of adversity. And adversity hit in the game, and we did not respond well. If there was one thing I was disappointed with, it would be that,” McPhee-McCuin said. “Adversity hit, and we didn’t respond well.”

South Carolina led by as much as 25 in the third quarter, but Ole Miss used a 21-8 run in the fourth to get back into the game. “As we continue to try to build our team because we don’t just want to be a good team, we want to be a great programme, I have to keep putting them in situations to get the right response so in the game they will be able to self-correct quicker,” McPhee-McCuin said.

“Because I imagine had we self-corrected coming out in the third quarter, we would have given ourselves even a better chance.”

At 23-8, 10-6 in the SEC, Ole Miss enjoyed its best finish in conference play since the 1993-94 season. They concluded the regular season with wins in four of their last five games.

This season, the programme earned its first top 25 ranking since 2007.

The 2021-22 campaign thus far has been highlighted by a 13-game win streak, the third longest win streak in programme history. It also included wins over three ranked opponents.

“It’s not like we’re not confident. We won 23 games. No one came down the chimney and gave us those wins. We had to go and earn them. So, we know that we’re capable. We just have to do a better job responding.”