OXFORD, Miss. – The Rebels are on the hunt for their second straight SEC victory in the 101st edition of the Magnolia State rivalry against Mississippi State and their first win in the series since 2014, in a 2 p.m. CT matchup from the SJB Pavilion, Sunday on SEC Network.
TEAM FACTS
Ole Miss Rebels (14-2, 2-1 SEC)
Head Coach: Yolett McPhee-McCuin • 4th Season at Ole Miss (45-59) • 139-122 career record (9th Season)
Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-4, 2-1 SEC)
Interim Head Coach: Doug Novak • 1st Season at Mississippi State (11-4) • 11-4 career record (1st Season)
ON THE AIR
Television/Online: SEC Network
Play by Play: Roy Philpott
Analyst: Brooke Weisbrod
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Graham Doty
SERIES NOTES
SERIES HISTORY vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE
The most storied rivalry in program history meets for the 101st edition Sunday, as Ole Miss looks to gain back bragging rights between in-state rival Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs have held favor as of recent, winning the last 14 meetings, dating back to 2014. Despite recent success from MSU, Ole Miss holds the all-time advantage 63-37. From 1982 to 1997, the Rebels took 33 consecutive meetings against the Bulldogs.
In the 100th edition last season in Starkville, Donnetta Johnson put on a show with a career-high 25 points against the then No. 14 ranked Bulldogs. Facing a 14-point deficit in the second half, a fourth quarter charge from Ole Miss wasn't enough, falling 60-56.
FIRST MEETING
01/23/75-UM, 90-76-at Oxford
LAST MEETING
01/10/2-MSU, 60-56-at Starkville
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Led by the SEC's leading scorer in Rickea Jackson, the Bulldogs head into Oxford after winning their last two games and their past four out of five.
Jackson ranks 17th in Division I and first in the conference, averaging 20.6 points per game this season. She dropped a season-high 26 points in the season opener against Alabama State and has shot at a 40.6 percent clip from the field this year.
The Bulldogs are one of the best in the conference defending around the rim, ranking second in the SEC with a total of 6.8 blocks per game.
OUTINGS AGAINST MISSISSIPPI STATE
Austin 6.0 ppg 11.0 rpg
Reid 4.4 ppg 2.6 rpg 2.6 apg
Johnson 25.0 ppg 4.0 rpg 1.0 apg
Douglas 5.0 ppg 5.0 rpg
Scott 11.0 ppg 10.0 rpg 1.0 apg
LAST TIME OUT
It was an offensive explosion Thursday night at the SJB Pavilion with the Rebels rolling over the Crimson Tide 86-56.
Lashonda Monk set a career milestone with her 400th career steal, and also dropped a season-high 19 points in a strong outing for the graduate transfer. Monk led this charge, as following behind was Angel Baker with an 18 point performance off the bench.
Feeling it from deep was Snudda Collins, as the sophomore drained four triples en route to a season-high 15 points. Off the glass, Madison Scott crashed the boards to grab her second double-double of the year with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Shakira Austin could not be stopped around the rim, as she racked up a season-high seven blocks.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
From the first quarter on against Alabama, the Rebel offense could not be contained. For the third time this season, Ole Miss started off hot scoring 20 or more points in the third quarter. This trend remained throughout the game, as the Rebels totaled over 20 in the third and fourth as well.
The 86 points as a team marked the most scored by any Ole Miss team in an SEC game since the Rebels recorded 87 in overtime against Mississippi State in 2014.
TIDE. ROLLED.
The high-flying Rebel offense contributed to another historic mark set against Alabama, as Ole Miss claimed its second straight win in the series.
The 30 point margin of victory against the Crimson Tide was the largest margin of victory against an SEC opponent in 13 seasons. The 2008-2009 Rebels defeated Alabama by 30 points in Oxford.
ALL OUT EFFORT.
Through its first three SEC games, Ole Miss is forcing an average of 22.6 turnovers per game. All three SEC opponents have turned the ball over 20 or more times, with Florida surrendering an SEC opponent high of 25.
The last time the Rebels forced 20+ turnovers in three straight games, was in 2017 in non-conference games against Middle Tennessee, Arkansas State and South Alabama.
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL
Not only are the Rebels one of the best teams in the SEC in terms of taking the ball away from its opponents, they also continue to prove that they can take care of it as well.
They love to win the turnover battle, as the Rebels currently lead the SEC with an average of 6.8 turnovers less than their opponent each game. This also ranks 12th in all of Division I.
Against No. 18 USF, the nine turnovers surrendered to the Bulls, were the fewest in any game this season by the Rebels
GOING STREAKING
The past three games have been nice to Lashonda Monk, as she is currently riding a three-game streak of finishing with double-digit points. This is the longest streak of the season for the Greensoboro native.
SHE'S STOLEN OUR HEARTS
There's a reason why Lashonda Monk ranks second in the nation in active career steals with a total of 400
The graduate transfer has a total of 25 so far this season, and recorded a steal in each of the first nine games this season.
After Monk picked up her 400th steal against Alabama, she will became of 31 in NCAA history to join the 400 steal club.
FOUL ME ONCE...
The charity stripe has been kind to the Rebels this season, as Ole Miss has used it to its advantage.
Ranking 16th in the nation and third in the conference, the Rebels are averaging 14.1 made shots from the line each game. They also rank 13th nationally and fifth in the conference with a total of 328 attempts.
WORK HARD, GET REWARDED
With 15 trips to the line against Florida, Shakira Austin capitalized off of going hard in the paint to ultimately knock down 10 free throws.
She followed this up the next game against No. 7 Tennessee with 12 trips to the line, to knock down 10 free throws.
Austin's 15 free throw attempts tie the most in a single-game by any SEC player this season. She leads the conference in attempts at 94 and makes at 78.
KEEPING IT 100
Thursday's game at Florida marked an important career milestone for redshirt-senior Mimi Reid, with her 100th game in a Rebel jersey.
The Bronx, N.Y. native has started in 84 percent of her games throughout her four year playing career in Oxford.
SHINING AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
With 26 points against No. 7 Tennessee, Shakira Austin loves to pour it on against ranked opponents.
In her 11 games against ranked opponents as a Rebel, she is currently averaging 17.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
ROAD TOUGH AND TESTED
With wins at Cal, Cincinnati, Hofstra and Florida, Ole Miss loves to prove its talent nation wide with a record of 4-0 on the road.
This is the first time that the Rebels have begun their time on the road with four wins since the 1986-87 season.
UNDER PRESSURE
Every road trip Ole Miss makes sure to pack its defense, and the trek to Gainesville was no exception.
The Rebels forced 25 turnovers against the Gators, forcing its opponents to hand over the ball 25 times or more for the fourth game this year.
The 21.3 turnovers forced per game lead the SEC and rank 29th in the country.
STATEMENT. MADE.
Not only did Ole Miss pick up its first ranked win of the season against then No. 18 South Florida, it also was the first non-conference win over a ranked opponent for the program since 2007.
WE'VE GOT AN ANGEL ON OUR SIDE
With a dominant performance at the West Palm Beach Invitational, Angel Baker was named the co-SEC Player of the Week on Dec. 28.
The senior guard was a key piece to the two victories, as Baker averaged 14.5 points per game, shooting 61.5% from the field. In the win over Texas Tech, Baker came off the bench to score a season-high 24 points.
Baker is the first Rebel to earn a weekly SEC nod since Shakira Austin was named the SEC Player of the Week in February of last season.
A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER
As Ole Miss continued its remarkable winning streak, the program's six wins in the month of December are the most by any Rebel team since 2016.
PICK POCKET PROS
Ole Miss recorded a season-high 18 steals at Florida, for the most steals in against an SEC opponent since facing Alabama in the 2007 SEC Tournament. The Rebels have recorded double-digit steals in 11 of 16 games this season.
The Rebels average 11.2 steals per game, leading all SEC teams, and ranking top-25 in the nation.
TAKING AND MAKING
Ole Miss has scored 20-plus points off turnovers in 10 of 16 games this season. Over the last seven games, the Rebels have scored 18.8 points off turnovers.
PUCKETT IN THE PICTURE
Senior Andeija Puckett's role in the rotation has steadily increased throughout the season, after missing last season due to injury.
At Hofstra on Dec. 11, Puckett put forth 9 points (4-7 fg), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals in a season-high 19 minutes of game time. Versus Samford on Dec. 17, Puckett reached double-digits for the first time in her Rebel career, scoring 10 points and adding a season-high 3 rebounds and 1 assist. She later tied a season-high with four rebounds at Florida.
STREAK SETTERS
With 13 wins in a row dating from Nov. 14 through Jan. 6, Ole Miss rode its longest winning streak since the 1991 Rebels won 25 games in a row.
The 13 straight wins ranks third all-time in consecutive victories in program history.
This set the longest streak of McPhee-McCuin's career, and her longest at Ole Miss.
WITNESSING HISTORY
Halfway into the 2021-22 season, the Rebels continue to rewrite history.
Holding Samford to 48 points set the program record for scoring defense keeping the most opponents under 50 points in a season.
Ole Miss tied the program record against Hofstra, with three other Rebel teams keeping seven opponents under 50. It only took one game later to break that record, keeping its eighth opponent under 50 points.
BLOCK PARTY QUEEN
With her first two of three blocks at Hofstra, Shakira Austin eclipsed the 200 career block mark.
Austin currently ranks fifth in the SEC and 12th nationally with a total of 213 blocks throughout her four year career.
The senior was a menace against the Crimson Tide, with a season-high seven blocks. The seven deflections were also the most by any Rebel in a single game this year.
DEFENSE > OFFENSE
The Rebels continue to slow down their opponents at a record pace, as 16 games into the season Ole Miss has held eight opponents under 50 points for a program record.
Ole Miss currently ranks in the top-10 nationally in scoring defense and first in the SEC, allowing an average of 51.6 points per game.
The pressure on the opposite side of the ball has proven to be too much, as the Rebels rank first in the conference forcing an average of 21.3 turnovers per game.
NOTHING BUT NET
In the first NET Ranking of the season on Dec. 5, Ole Miss debuted as one of the top-50 programs in the nation at 46.
The Rebels continue to climb, hititng a season-low at No. 33 on Jan. 14 after defeating Alabama.
With SEC play hitting, the potential of nine top-50 NET matchups awaits with five top-25 as well.
SHOOTING HER SHOT (PERFECTLY)
Against the Bearcats, Madison Scott's 8-of-8 mark to finish with 18 points accomplished a new Rebel feat.
Scott became the only player at Ole Miss in the last 20 seasons to shoot 1.000 or better with eight or more attempts in a single game.
RUNNING DEEP
The Rebel bench has been instrumental this season, contributing 20 or more points in 13 games.
Angel Baker has been the largest contributor off the bench, averaging 9.6 points per game.
WE'VE GOT A FEW ARTISTS
Throughout the season Ole Miss has continued to make its presence known in the paint, scoring an average of 40.8 points in the paint per game.
Ole Miss posted a season-high 46 points on the inside in the win at Cincinnati.
WE DEFEND
Defense is the name of the Rebel game and for three games in a row against San Diego State, Cal and New Orleans, Ole Miss held each opponent under 50 points.
The feat was last accomplished by the Rebels in January of 1991 holding Jackson State, Mississippi State and Prairie View A&M under 50 points each.
ALL OUT EFFORT
It was a total team effort from Ole Miss in the win at Cal, with four Rebels scoring in double figures for the first time this season.
Austin led all scorers with 14, followed by Madison Scott and Lashonda Monk with a season-high 12 points while Snudda Collins added 10 in her second double digit performance of the year.
SHUTTING IT DOWN
From the floor against Cal, Ole Miss held an opposing Power Five opponent to the lowest field goal percentage allowed within the past 10 seasons.
The Bears shot 13-of-56 from the field, hitting 23.2 percent of their shots.
The 19 point win over the Bears was the largest margin of victory against a Power Five team since defeating Wisconsin by 25 points in 2016.
THANKFUL FOR NOVEMBER
The month of November was good to the Rebels with six wins in their first seven games.
This marked the most wins in the month of November for Ole Miss since totaling six in 2017.
OFF THE LINE
Three-point defense has been a point of emphasis during the Coach Yo era, with 62 of 98 opponents being held to five or fewer.
1st Season (2018-19)
17-of-31 (54.8%)
2nd Season (2019-20)
21-of-30 (70.0%)
3rd Season (2020-21)
14-of-22 (63.6 %)
4th Season (2021-22)
11-of-16 (68.7%)
DEFENSE ON LOCK
The Rebels have been unstoppable on the defensive side of the ball, holding their opponents to an average of 51.6 points per game.
The 44 points allowed to the Lady Techsters was the first time since the 2011-2012 season that Ole Miss has kept its opponents under 50 points in back-to-back games. The Rebels followed this up again, keeping San Diego State and Cal under the mark as well.
The Lady Techsters were also held to just a mere 2 points in the second quarter, the fewest amount of points allowed by the Rebels in a quarter since the women's game moved to the format in 2015-2016.
SHARING IS CARING
The Rebels continue to drop dimes at a record pace, recording their sixth 20 plus assist against Alabama with 20.
Lashonda Monk tied a career-high with nine against the New Orleans, tying the most in a single-game by a Rebel in 2021.
Against Lamar and MVSU, the Rebels also racked up 24 assists. Against the Devilettes, Reid and Shakira Austin led the team with five a piece, while Austin set a new career-high.
All three outings tied the third most assists in a single game for the Rebels within the last four seasons.
DROPPIN' DIMES
Only 16 games into the season, the Rebels are on track to make history with six games already with 20 or more assists.
Last season, Ole Miss dished out 20 plus assists in five games, while the program record for the most 20 plus assist games in a single-season is six.
CRASHING THE BOARDS
Powered by Shakira Austin, the Rebels were absolutely dominant on both sides of the boards, outrebounding their opponents by an average of 20.5 rebounds against Lamar and LA Tech.
The last time the Rebels accomplished this feat was in 2008, out rebounding Alcorn State and Nicholls State by 21 and 22 rebounds a piece.
BACK IN BUSINESS
After scoring three field goals through the first two games, Preseason All-SEC center Shakira Austin found herself back in usual form scoring 20 points and adding 13 rebounds for her first double-double of the season against Lamar.
The Virginia native continues to lead the conference in active career boards with a total of 924 and ranks 10th nationally.
HOT HANDS x2
Coming off the bench against MVSU, Lashonda Monk and Caitlin McGee combined to go a perfect 10-of-10 from the field.
Monk dropped a then season-high 11 points, while McGee tied her career-high with a total of 13.
The two are the first Rebels to be perfect from the field with five or more attempts since teammate Madison Scott shot 5-of-5 in the season opener against McNeese last season.
RIGHT ON TARGET
In her second game as a Rebel after transferring from Wright State, Angel Baker put on a show against MVSU with a total of 18 points and shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Baker's 80% clip from three was the highest by a Rebel with five or more attempts since Shandricka Sessom went 5-of-6 for 83.3 percent against Delaware State in 2017.
Last season Baker knocked down 43 triples, including her career-high of six against Green Bay.
FOCUSED FROM THE LINE
In the season opener against Belmont, the Rebels shot 12-of-13 from the line, their highest percentage with 10 or more attempts since making 15-of-16 against Florida in the SEC Tournament in 2019.
NOT A TYPO
Shakira Austin had herself quite the Tuesday on November 9, earning herself a spot on three national award watchlists by the time lunch rolled around. The center found herself on the Wade Trophy Watch List, The John R. Wooden Award Watch List and the Naismith Watch List as one of the top players in women's college basketball.
Austin recently also earned a spot on the Lisa Leslie Watch List, awarded to the best center in women's college basketball at the end of the season.
OLE MISS EARNS PROGRAM WIN NO. 850
The Rebel win vs. Samford in the First Round of the WNIT marked the 850th win in program history. All-time, Ole Miss is currently 852-583 (.594) in 46 years of NCAA Division I competition. Entering the 2020-21 season, only 44 programs have eclipsed the 850-win threshold.
Follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on Twitter at @YolettMcCuin
TEAM FACTS
Ole Miss Rebels (14-2, 2-1 SEC)
Head Coach: Yolett McPhee-McCuin • 4th Season at Ole Miss (45-59) • 139-122 career record (9th Season)
Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-4, 2-1 SEC)
Interim Head Coach: Doug Novak • 1st Season at Mississippi State (11-4) • 11-4 career record (1st Season)
ON THE AIR
Television/Online: SEC Network
Play by Play: Roy Philpott
Analyst: Brooke Weisbrod
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Graham Doty
SERIES NOTES
SERIES HISTORY vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE
The most storied rivalry in program history meets for the 101st edition Sunday, as Ole Miss looks to gain back bragging rights between in-state rival Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs have held favor as of recent, winning the last 14 meetings, dating back to 2014. Despite recent success from MSU, Ole Miss holds the all-time advantage 63-37. From 1982 to 1997, the Rebels took 33 consecutive meetings against the Bulldogs.
In the 100th edition last season in Starkville, Donnetta Johnson put on a show with a career-high 25 points against the then No. 14 ranked Bulldogs. Facing a 14-point deficit in the second half, a fourth quarter charge from Ole Miss wasn't enough, falling 60-56.
FIRST MEETING
01/23/75-UM, 90-76-at Oxford
LAST MEETING
01/10/2-MSU, 60-56-at Starkville
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Led by the SEC's leading scorer in Rickea Jackson, the Bulldogs head into Oxford after winning their last two games and their past four out of five.
Jackson ranks 17th in Division I and first in the conference, averaging 20.6 points per game this season. She dropped a season-high 26 points in the season opener against Alabama State and has shot at a 40.6 percent clip from the field this year.
The Bulldogs are one of the best in the conference defending around the rim, ranking second in the SEC with a total of 6.8 blocks per game.
OUTINGS AGAINST MISSISSIPPI STATE
Austin 6.0 ppg 11.0 rpg
Reid 4.4 ppg 2.6 rpg 2.6 apg
Johnson 25.0 ppg 4.0 rpg 1.0 apg
Douglas 5.0 ppg 5.0 rpg
Scott 11.0 ppg 10.0 rpg 1.0 apg
LAST TIME OUT
It was an offensive explosion Thursday night at the SJB Pavilion with the Rebels rolling over the Crimson Tide 86-56.
Lashonda Monk set a career milestone with her 400th career steal, and also dropped a season-high 19 points in a strong outing for the graduate transfer. Monk led this charge, as following behind was Angel Baker with an 18 point performance off the bench.
Feeling it from deep was Snudda Collins, as the sophomore drained four triples en route to a season-high 15 points. Off the glass, Madison Scott crashed the boards to grab her second double-double of the year with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Shakira Austin could not be stopped around the rim, as she racked up a season-high seven blocks.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
From the first quarter on against Alabama, the Rebel offense could not be contained. For the third time this season, Ole Miss started off hot scoring 20 or more points in the third quarter. This trend remained throughout the game, as the Rebels totaled over 20 in the third and fourth as well.
The 86 points as a team marked the most scored by any Ole Miss team in an SEC game since the Rebels recorded 87 in overtime against Mississippi State in 2014.
TIDE. ROLLED.
The high-flying Rebel offense contributed to another historic mark set against Alabama, as Ole Miss claimed its second straight win in the series.
The 30 point margin of victory against the Crimson Tide was the largest margin of victory against an SEC opponent in 13 seasons. The 2008-2009 Rebels defeated Alabama by 30 points in Oxford.
ALL OUT EFFORT.
Through its first three SEC games, Ole Miss is forcing an average of 22.6 turnovers per game. All three SEC opponents have turned the ball over 20 or more times, with Florida surrendering an SEC opponent high of 25.
The last time the Rebels forced 20+ turnovers in three straight games, was in 2017 in non-conference games against Middle Tennessee, Arkansas State and South Alabama.
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL
Not only are the Rebels one of the best teams in the SEC in terms of taking the ball away from its opponents, they also continue to prove that they can take care of it as well.
They love to win the turnover battle, as the Rebels currently lead the SEC with an average of 6.8 turnovers less than their opponent each game. This also ranks 12th in all of Division I.
Against No. 18 USF, the nine turnovers surrendered to the Bulls, were the fewest in any game this season by the Rebels
GOING STREAKING
The past three games have been nice to Lashonda Monk, as she is currently riding a three-game streak of finishing with double-digit points. This is the longest streak of the season for the Greensoboro native.
SHE'S STOLEN OUR HEARTS
There's a reason why Lashonda Monk ranks second in the nation in active career steals with a total of 400
The graduate transfer has a total of 25 so far this season, and recorded a steal in each of the first nine games this season.
After Monk picked up her 400th steal against Alabama, she will became of 31 in NCAA history to join the 400 steal club.
FOUL ME ONCE...
The charity stripe has been kind to the Rebels this season, as Ole Miss has used it to its advantage.
Ranking 16th in the nation and third in the conference, the Rebels are averaging 14.1 made shots from the line each game. They also rank 13th nationally and fifth in the conference with a total of 328 attempts.
WORK HARD, GET REWARDED
With 15 trips to the line against Florida, Shakira Austin capitalized off of going hard in the paint to ultimately knock down 10 free throws.
She followed this up the next game against No. 7 Tennessee with 12 trips to the line, to knock down 10 free throws.
Austin's 15 free throw attempts tie the most in a single-game by any SEC player this season. She leads the conference in attempts at 94 and makes at 78.
KEEPING IT 100
Thursday's game at Florida marked an important career milestone for redshirt-senior Mimi Reid, with her 100th game in a Rebel jersey.
The Bronx, N.Y. native has started in 84 percent of her games throughout her four year playing career in Oxford.
SHINING AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS
With 26 points against No. 7 Tennessee, Shakira Austin loves to pour it on against ranked opponents.
In her 11 games against ranked opponents as a Rebel, she is currently averaging 17.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.
ROAD TOUGH AND TESTED
With wins at Cal, Cincinnati, Hofstra and Florida, Ole Miss loves to prove its talent nation wide with a record of 4-0 on the road.
This is the first time that the Rebels have begun their time on the road with four wins since the 1986-87 season.
UNDER PRESSURE
Every road trip Ole Miss makes sure to pack its defense, and the trek to Gainesville was no exception.
The Rebels forced 25 turnovers against the Gators, forcing its opponents to hand over the ball 25 times or more for the fourth game this year.
The 21.3 turnovers forced per game lead the SEC and rank 29th in the country.
STATEMENT. MADE.
Not only did Ole Miss pick up its first ranked win of the season against then No. 18 South Florida, it also was the first non-conference win over a ranked opponent for the program since 2007.
WE'VE GOT AN ANGEL ON OUR SIDE
With a dominant performance at the West Palm Beach Invitational, Angel Baker was named the co-SEC Player of the Week on Dec. 28.
The senior guard was a key piece to the two victories, as Baker averaged 14.5 points per game, shooting 61.5% from the field. In the win over Texas Tech, Baker came off the bench to score a season-high 24 points.
Baker is the first Rebel to earn a weekly SEC nod since Shakira Austin was named the SEC Player of the Week in February of last season.
A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER
As Ole Miss continued its remarkable winning streak, the program's six wins in the month of December are the most by any Rebel team since 2016.
PICK POCKET PROS
Ole Miss recorded a season-high 18 steals at Florida, for the most steals in against an SEC opponent since facing Alabama in the 2007 SEC Tournament. The Rebels have recorded double-digit steals in 11 of 16 games this season.
The Rebels average 11.2 steals per game, leading all SEC teams, and ranking top-25 in the nation.
TAKING AND MAKING
Ole Miss has scored 20-plus points off turnovers in 10 of 16 games this season. Over the last seven games, the Rebels have scored 18.8 points off turnovers.
PUCKETT IN THE PICTURE
Senior Andeija Puckett's role in the rotation has steadily increased throughout the season, after missing last season due to injury.
At Hofstra on Dec. 11, Puckett put forth 9 points (4-7 fg), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals in a season-high 19 minutes of game time. Versus Samford on Dec. 17, Puckett reached double-digits for the first time in her Rebel career, scoring 10 points and adding a season-high 3 rebounds and 1 assist. She later tied a season-high with four rebounds at Florida.
STREAK SETTERS
With 13 wins in a row dating from Nov. 14 through Jan. 6, Ole Miss rode its longest winning streak since the 1991 Rebels won 25 games in a row.
The 13 straight wins ranks third all-time in consecutive victories in program history.
This set the longest streak of McPhee-McCuin's career, and her longest at Ole Miss.
WITNESSING HISTORY
Halfway into the 2021-22 season, the Rebels continue to rewrite history.
Holding Samford to 48 points set the program record for scoring defense keeping the most opponents under 50 points in a season.
Ole Miss tied the program record against Hofstra, with three other Rebel teams keeping seven opponents under 50. It only took one game later to break that record, keeping its eighth opponent under 50 points.
BLOCK PARTY QUEEN
With her first two of three blocks at Hofstra, Shakira Austin eclipsed the 200 career block mark.
Austin currently ranks fifth in the SEC and 12th nationally with a total of 213 blocks throughout her four year career.
The senior was a menace against the Crimson Tide, with a season-high seven blocks. The seven deflections were also the most by any Rebel in a single game this year.
DEFENSE > OFFENSE
The Rebels continue to slow down their opponents at a record pace, as 16 games into the season Ole Miss has held eight opponents under 50 points for a program record.
Ole Miss currently ranks in the top-10 nationally in scoring defense and first in the SEC, allowing an average of 51.6 points per game.
The pressure on the opposite side of the ball has proven to be too much, as the Rebels rank first in the conference forcing an average of 21.3 turnovers per game.
NOTHING BUT NET
In the first NET Ranking of the season on Dec. 5, Ole Miss debuted as one of the top-50 programs in the nation at 46.
The Rebels continue to climb, hititng a season-low at No. 33 on Jan. 14 after defeating Alabama.
With SEC play hitting, the potential of nine top-50 NET matchups awaits with five top-25 as well.
SHOOTING HER SHOT (PERFECTLY)
Against the Bearcats, Madison Scott's 8-of-8 mark to finish with 18 points accomplished a new Rebel feat.
Scott became the only player at Ole Miss in the last 20 seasons to shoot 1.000 or better with eight or more attempts in a single game.
RUNNING DEEP
The Rebel bench has been instrumental this season, contributing 20 or more points in 13 games.
Angel Baker has been the largest contributor off the bench, averaging 9.6 points per game.
WE'VE GOT A FEW ARTISTS
Throughout the season Ole Miss has continued to make its presence known in the paint, scoring an average of 40.8 points in the paint per game.
Ole Miss posted a season-high 46 points on the inside in the win at Cincinnati.
WE DEFEND
Defense is the name of the Rebel game and for three games in a row against San Diego State, Cal and New Orleans, Ole Miss held each opponent under 50 points.
The feat was last accomplished by the Rebels in January of 1991 holding Jackson State, Mississippi State and Prairie View A&M under 50 points each.
ALL OUT EFFORT
It was a total team effort from Ole Miss in the win at Cal, with four Rebels scoring in double figures for the first time this season.
Austin led all scorers with 14, followed by Madison Scott and Lashonda Monk with a season-high 12 points while Snudda Collins added 10 in her second double digit performance of the year.
SHUTTING IT DOWN
From the floor against Cal, Ole Miss held an opposing Power Five opponent to the lowest field goal percentage allowed within the past 10 seasons.
The Bears shot 13-of-56 from the field, hitting 23.2 percent of their shots.
The 19 point win over the Bears was the largest margin of victory against a Power Five team since defeating Wisconsin by 25 points in 2016.
THANKFUL FOR NOVEMBER
The month of November was good to the Rebels with six wins in their first seven games.
This marked the most wins in the month of November for Ole Miss since totaling six in 2017.
OFF THE LINE
Three-point defense has been a point of emphasis during the Coach Yo era, with 62 of 98 opponents being held to five or fewer.
1st Season (2018-19)
17-of-31 (54.8%)
2nd Season (2019-20)
21-of-30 (70.0%)
3rd Season (2020-21)
14-of-22 (63.6 %)
4th Season (2021-22)
11-of-16 (68.7%)
DEFENSE ON LOCK
The Rebels have been unstoppable on the defensive side of the ball, holding their opponents to an average of 51.6 points per game.
The 44 points allowed to the Lady Techsters was the first time since the 2011-2012 season that Ole Miss has kept its opponents under 50 points in back-to-back games. The Rebels followed this up again, keeping San Diego State and Cal under the mark as well.
The Lady Techsters were also held to just a mere 2 points in the second quarter, the fewest amount of points allowed by the Rebels in a quarter since the women's game moved to the format in 2015-2016.
SHARING IS CARING
The Rebels continue to drop dimes at a record pace, recording their sixth 20 plus assist against Alabama with 20.
Lashonda Monk tied a career-high with nine against the New Orleans, tying the most in a single-game by a Rebel in 2021.
Against Lamar and MVSU, the Rebels also racked up 24 assists. Against the Devilettes, Reid and Shakira Austin led the team with five a piece, while Austin set a new career-high.
All three outings tied the third most assists in a single game for the Rebels within the last four seasons.
DROPPIN' DIMES
Only 16 games into the season, the Rebels are on track to make history with six games already with 20 or more assists.
Last season, Ole Miss dished out 20 plus assists in five games, while the program record for the most 20 plus assist games in a single-season is six.
CRASHING THE BOARDS
Powered by Shakira Austin, the Rebels were absolutely dominant on both sides of the boards, outrebounding their opponents by an average of 20.5 rebounds against Lamar and LA Tech.
The last time the Rebels accomplished this feat was in 2008, out rebounding Alcorn State and Nicholls State by 21 and 22 rebounds a piece.
BACK IN BUSINESS
After scoring three field goals through the first two games, Preseason All-SEC center Shakira Austin found herself back in usual form scoring 20 points and adding 13 rebounds for her first double-double of the season against Lamar.
The Virginia native continues to lead the conference in active career boards with a total of 924 and ranks 10th nationally.
HOT HANDS x2
Coming off the bench against MVSU, Lashonda Monk and Caitlin McGee combined to go a perfect 10-of-10 from the field.
Monk dropped a then season-high 11 points, while McGee tied her career-high with a total of 13.
The two are the first Rebels to be perfect from the field with five or more attempts since teammate Madison Scott shot 5-of-5 in the season opener against McNeese last season.
RIGHT ON TARGET
In her second game as a Rebel after transferring from Wright State, Angel Baker put on a show against MVSU with a total of 18 points and shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Baker's 80% clip from three was the highest by a Rebel with five or more attempts since Shandricka Sessom went 5-of-6 for 83.3 percent against Delaware State in 2017.
Last season Baker knocked down 43 triples, including her career-high of six against Green Bay.
FOCUSED FROM THE LINE
In the season opener against Belmont, the Rebels shot 12-of-13 from the line, their highest percentage with 10 or more attempts since making 15-of-16 against Florida in the SEC Tournament in 2019.
NOT A TYPO
Shakira Austin had herself quite the Tuesday on November 9, earning herself a spot on three national award watchlists by the time lunch rolled around. The center found herself on the Wade Trophy Watch List, The John R. Wooden Award Watch List and the Naismith Watch List as one of the top players in women's college basketball.
Austin recently also earned a spot on the Lisa Leslie Watch List, awarded to the best center in women's college basketball at the end of the season.
OLE MISS EARNS PROGRAM WIN NO. 850
The Rebel win vs. Samford in the First Round of the WNIT marked the 850th win in program history. All-time, Ole Miss is currently 852-583 (.594) in 46 years of NCAA Division I competition. Entering the 2020-21 season, only 44 programs have eclipsed the 850-win threshold.
Follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on Twitter at @YolettMcCuin
