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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
15-8, 4-6SEC
Florida
11-12, 2-8SEC
Rebels Snag Road Win at Florida
2/6/2017 | Women's Basketball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - It took until February but the wait was worth it, as the Ole Miss women's basketball team (15-8, 4-6 SEC) ended its road woes with an 84-75 win over Florida in primetime on Monday night. Madinah Muhammad (Chicago, Ill.) led the way with 22 points and was joined in double figures by two of teammates including freshman Shelby Gibson (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), who tied her career high with 16 points.
The fourth quarter wasn't for the faint of heart, as the teams went back and forth early, but Ole Miss was able to use some timely shooting from Muhammad and Shandricka Sessom (Byhalia, Miss.) to take a 71-64 lead with 5:55 left. The home team cut it to five with 2:06 to go, but Ole Miss was flawless from the line late, going 5-of-5 to seal the win.
The third period was as close of a quarter as the Rebels and have played this season with the lead never growing larger than one possession throughout. Florida tied the game at 55 with 1:21 left in the quarter on a bucket from Dyandria Anderson, who had seven points in the third quarter, but Muhammad gave the lead back to the Rebels with a bucket from the right side. Florida took a lead on the three-point play from Haley Lorenzen, but Ole Miss responded with a late triple from Erika Sisk (Oxford, Miss.) to take a 60-58 lead into the fourth quarter.
Ole Miss opened the second quarter with a 12-0 run fueled by triples from Muhammad, Sessom and Gibson, forcing the Gators to call a timeout at the 6:53 mark. Ole Miss ramped up the defensive pressure in the second quarter and it showed as the Gators had seven second-quarter turnovers.
The quarter was filled with runs, Ole Miss opened the frame with a 12-0 run and Florida closed with a 13-6 spurt over the final 4:30 to cut a once-10 point Ole Miss lead to just three points at halftime.
Both teams started the game solid from the offensive end of the floor with Ole Miss taking a 14-11 lead at the first quarter media timeout. The Rebels shot the ball well in the first quarter, shooting 41.2 percent on 7-of-17 shooting and especially capitalized in transition with an 8-0 advantage but it was the Gators who took a 20-19 lead after one.
Rebel Sidelines
-This is the lone meeting between the Gators and Rebels this season. With the Ole Miss win, Florida leads the all-time series 21-15
-Tonight's game was a sort of Homecoming for Ole Miss assistant coach Brittany Hudson who is a Florida native. Additionally, Ole Miss has a 2017 signee, DayNeisha Banks hails from Jacksonville.
-Madinah Muhammad reached double figures for the fourth straight game with 22 points with 11 in the first half.
-Shandricka Sessom was in double figures for the second straight game and the 18th time this season with 18 points.
-The win snaps Ole Miss' 13-game road SEC losing streak and gives Ole Miss its first road win of the season and guarantees Ole Miss a winning season.
Up Next
Ole Miss next hits the hardwood on Thursday when they take on LSU. Tipoff is set for 6 PM CT and will air on the SEC Network+.
Next Five Games
Feb. 9 - vs. LSU 6 PM
Feb. 12 - vs. Mississippi State 3 PM
Feb. 16 - vs. Auburn 8 PM
Feb. 19 - at Vanderbilt 2 PM
Feb. 23 - at Mizzou 7 PM
Keep Up With the Rebels
Keep up to date with the Ole Miss women's basketball team throughout the season on social media. For all Ole Miss women's basketball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com, and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB on Instagram at Ole MissWBB and on Snapchat with the handle @OleMissWBB. Fans can also follow Ole Miss women's basketball head coach Matt Insell on Twitter at @minsell.
