The University of Mississippi Athletics
Thursday, February 19
Oxford, Miss.
8 PM
Ole Miss
vs
LSU
No. 17 Women’s Basketball Set to Host No. 7 LSU at the SJB Pavilion
2/18/2026 | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, Miss. – For the third game in a week-long gauntlet against four AP top 25 opponents, Ole Miss women's basketball is set to welcome LSU on Thursday, February 19. Tipoff at the SJB Pavilion will be at 8 p.m. CT, streaming on ESPN.
TEAM FACTS
No. 17/17 Ole Miss Rebels (21-6, 8-4 SEC)
Head Coach: Yolett McPhee-McCuin • 8th Season at Ole Miss (146-101) • 13th Season in Career (240-164)
No. 7/7 LSU Tigers (22-4, 8-4 SEC)
Head Coach: Kim Mulkey • 5th Season at LSU (144-24) • 26th Season in Career (776-128)
ON THE AIR
Television: ESPN
Play-by-Play: Beth Mowins
Color: Debbie Antonelli
Reporter: Jess Sims
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Graham Doty
PACK THE PAVILION
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to Ole Miss' game on Thursday, as doors open 90 minutes prior to tipoff for students and 60 minutes for the general public. Students can enjoy free concessions while supplies last, along with $2.50 beer specials and an exclusive Cotie McMahon 2,000 Point poster. The game will also feature a pink jersey giveaway, sip chains, and pink poms to honor Play4Kay. At halftime, survivors will be recognized in a special ceremony, followed by a performance from NPHC featuring 52 performers representing all Divine Nine organizations.
SERIES HISTORY
Ole Miss and LSU are facing each other for the 67th time in series history. LSU holds a 43-23 series advantage and has claimed12 of the last 13 games over Ole Miss. The series dates to 1978.
Ole Miss has 10 victories against LSU when LSU is ranked, with last season being the most recent example. In the regular season finale, the Rebels shocked the seventh-ranked Tigers, 85-77, in Baton Rouge. Facing a deficit as big as 15 points, Ole Miss rode a 54-point second half to topple LSU, forcing 23 turnovers in the process. Tameiya Sadler and KK Deans led the charge for the Rebels, scoring 19 and 17 points, respectively. They combined for eight 3-pointers. Christeen Iwuala earned the start in that game and nearly recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points with nine rebounds.
In 2010, Ole Miss had two memorable games against LSU, recording a win in a triple-overtime game on Feb. 7, 2010, when the Rebels toppled the No. 19/21 Tigers, 102-101. Bianca Thomas, Elizabeth Robertson and Kayla Melson each recorded 20-or-more points to secure the upset. The trio, as well as Shan-tell Black, played 50-plus minutes that day as Nikki Byrd had a double-double. As a team, Ole Miss made 13 3-pointers as it swept the season series.
In that game, Robertson made seven threes, tied for the fourth-most by a Rebel in program history.
Earlier that season, Thomas scored 42 points against the Tigers by making 13 field goals, four of which from long distance, and 12 free throws. It's the second-best individual scoring effort in program history, just three points shy of Peggie Gillom's 45 points against Tennessee in 1978. Thomas also added a team-leading eight rebounds and two steals while Melson dished out the fifth-most assists by a Rebel in a single game with 13.
Gillom made some history of her own against LSU. The season after dropping her notorious 45-point game, she made 16 field goals against the Tigers, which tied for the then third-most field goals made by a single player in Ole Miss history. Presently, it sits tied for fifth.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Kim Mulkey is in her fifth season leading LSU's women's basketball. Under her guidance, LSU has reached new heights as a perennial powerhouse in women's basketball, leading the Tigers to a national title in 2023.
This season has been no different, as LSU is dominating in nearly every statistical category en route to a ranking as high as No. 6 according to the Associated Press. The Tigers are ranked top 10 nationally in 13 statistical categories, including the No. 1 spot in scoring offense at 95.7 points per game. LSU's depth is what makes it dangerous, as it also has the top bench scoring team in the country.
Its top scorer is Flau'jae Johnson, who has established herself as one of the best Tigers in program history. She began the season top 10 among active SEC players in career points, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals, the only player to make that claim. Currently, she remains in the top 10 of each with the exception of assists. She's averaging 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley back up Johnson as a solid backcourt duo. They both average 13.1 points per game, while Williams leads the team in assists at 3.7 per game and Fulwiley's 3.2 steals is tops for the team. The latter ranks No. 1 in the conference in terms of overall steals this season with 84, and 10th in the nation.
Amiya Joyner is LSU's top rebounder, leading one of the strongest rebounding teams in the country. At 6-foot-2, Joyner is averaging 7.3 rebounds per game. She's a solid offensive contributor as well, dropping 9.8 points per game. LSU has the best rebounding margin in the country, outrebounding opponents by 18.5 boards per game. In total, LSU is bringing down 48.7 rebounds per game.
Regarding LSU's depth, all but one player has played in 20 games this season. Mulkey spreads the opportunity throughout her team to keep the starters fresh. LSU's bench is responsible for 39.7 of the Tiger's nearly 96 points per game.
LAST TIME OUT
Cotie McMahon's historic outing propelled Ole Miss to victory over Tennessee, 94-81, Tuesday evening at the SJB Pavilion.
McMahon dropped a career high 39 points for the Rebels, which is tied with Ole Miss legends Eugenia Conner and Peggie Gillom for the third-most points ever by a Rebel in a single game. McMahon's point total trails only Gillom and Bianca Thomas for the most in program history.
Additionally, her 39 points are an SJB Pavilion record, which was previously set in 2019 by Crystal Allen when she scored 34. Two of Ole Miss' five best individual scoring efforts in program history have now come against Tennessee, the best performance being Gillom's 45 points against the Lady Vols in 1978. It also marked the most points by an individual in an SEC game this season.
With the win, Ole Miss has now won two of the past three meetings with Tennessee. The Rebels shattered their previous scoring high against the Lady Vols, with 94 points serving as the greatest point total ever, besting the previous high by 11 points.
With her performance against the Lady Vols, McMahon became just the fifth Rebel all-time to reach the 2,000-point mark for their overall career. She joined Ole Miss legends Peggie and Jennifer Gillom, Armintie Price and Angel Baker with her accomplishment. Her and Baker are the only Rebels to accomplish the feat after transferring to Ole Miss. In addition to her scoring, McMahon had a double-double with 10 rebounds and led the team in assists with five, making her the first Rebel in the past 25 seasons with at least 35 points and 10 rebounds in a game.
As a team, Ole Miss surpassed the 80-point plateau for the 14th time this season, tying Team 51 for the sixth most games of at least 80 points in a season in program history. They tied Team 50's total from last season, as well as the 1979-80 squad. Should the Rebels record one more game of at least 80 points, it would be tied for the third most in Ole Miss single season history.
Latasha Lattimore was no slouch against the Lady Vols, scoring 14 points with 12 rebounds. In doing so, she's recorded four straight games with a double-double, the last Rebel to accomplish that streak was Shakira Austin during the 2020-21 season. Of the five times McMahon has secured a double-double this season, another Rebel has as well (the others being Christeen Iwuala twice, Lattimore twice, and Sira Thienou). Iwuala added 16 points and five rebounds to Ole Miss' cause, and Tianna Thompson scored 12 points off the bench in support of the Rebel's efforts.
HISTORY REWRITTEN
Ole Miss and head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin have reached the 20-overall win plateau for a fifth consecutive season and the 23rd time in program history. It marks the first time in the 21st century that Ole Miss has reached at least 20 wins in five straight seasons and first since Van Chancellor led 11 consecutive teams to that mark from 1981-92.
This year, the Rebels look to tally at least 10 SEC wins for the fifth consecutive season. Coach Yo is the only coach in program history to have at least 20 overall wins and 10 SEC wins in four seasons at the helm.
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE REBELS
Single game tickets for the 2025-26 campaign are on sale now. Click here to secure yours today or visit OleMissTix.com.
Follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on X at @YolettMcCuin.
TEAM FACTS
No. 17/17 Ole Miss Rebels (21-6, 8-4 SEC)
Head Coach: Yolett McPhee-McCuin • 8th Season at Ole Miss (146-101) • 13th Season in Career (240-164)
No. 7/7 LSU Tigers (22-4, 8-4 SEC)
Head Coach: Kim Mulkey • 5th Season at LSU (144-24) • 26th Season in Career (776-128)
ON THE AIR
Television: ESPN
Play-by-Play: Beth Mowins
Color: Debbie Antonelli
Reporter: Jess Sims
OLE MISS RADIO
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Graham Doty
PACK THE PAVILION
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to Ole Miss' game on Thursday, as doors open 90 minutes prior to tipoff for students and 60 minutes for the general public. Students can enjoy free concessions while supplies last, along with $2.50 beer specials and an exclusive Cotie McMahon 2,000 Point poster. The game will also feature a pink jersey giveaway, sip chains, and pink poms to honor Play4Kay. At halftime, survivors will be recognized in a special ceremony, followed by a performance from NPHC featuring 52 performers representing all Divine Nine organizations.
SERIES HISTORY
Ole Miss and LSU are facing each other for the 67th time in series history. LSU holds a 43-23 series advantage and has claimed12 of the last 13 games over Ole Miss. The series dates to 1978.
Ole Miss has 10 victories against LSU when LSU is ranked, with last season being the most recent example. In the regular season finale, the Rebels shocked the seventh-ranked Tigers, 85-77, in Baton Rouge. Facing a deficit as big as 15 points, Ole Miss rode a 54-point second half to topple LSU, forcing 23 turnovers in the process. Tameiya Sadler and KK Deans led the charge for the Rebels, scoring 19 and 17 points, respectively. They combined for eight 3-pointers. Christeen Iwuala earned the start in that game and nearly recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points with nine rebounds.
In 2010, Ole Miss had two memorable games against LSU, recording a win in a triple-overtime game on Feb. 7, 2010, when the Rebels toppled the No. 19/21 Tigers, 102-101. Bianca Thomas, Elizabeth Robertson and Kayla Melson each recorded 20-or-more points to secure the upset. The trio, as well as Shan-tell Black, played 50-plus minutes that day as Nikki Byrd had a double-double. As a team, Ole Miss made 13 3-pointers as it swept the season series.
In that game, Robertson made seven threes, tied for the fourth-most by a Rebel in program history.
Earlier that season, Thomas scored 42 points against the Tigers by making 13 field goals, four of which from long distance, and 12 free throws. It's the second-best individual scoring effort in program history, just three points shy of Peggie Gillom's 45 points against Tennessee in 1978. Thomas also added a team-leading eight rebounds and two steals while Melson dished out the fifth-most assists by a Rebel in a single game with 13.
Gillom made some history of her own against LSU. The season after dropping her notorious 45-point game, she made 16 field goals against the Tigers, which tied for the then third-most field goals made by a single player in Ole Miss history. Presently, it sits tied for fifth.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Kim Mulkey is in her fifth season leading LSU's women's basketball. Under her guidance, LSU has reached new heights as a perennial powerhouse in women's basketball, leading the Tigers to a national title in 2023.
This season has been no different, as LSU is dominating in nearly every statistical category en route to a ranking as high as No. 6 according to the Associated Press. The Tigers are ranked top 10 nationally in 13 statistical categories, including the No. 1 spot in scoring offense at 95.7 points per game. LSU's depth is what makes it dangerous, as it also has the top bench scoring team in the country.
Its top scorer is Flau'jae Johnson, who has established herself as one of the best Tigers in program history. She began the season top 10 among active SEC players in career points, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals, the only player to make that claim. Currently, she remains in the top 10 of each with the exception of assists. She's averaging 14.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley back up Johnson as a solid backcourt duo. They both average 13.1 points per game, while Williams leads the team in assists at 3.7 per game and Fulwiley's 3.2 steals is tops for the team. The latter ranks No. 1 in the conference in terms of overall steals this season with 84, and 10th in the nation.
Amiya Joyner is LSU's top rebounder, leading one of the strongest rebounding teams in the country. At 6-foot-2, Joyner is averaging 7.3 rebounds per game. She's a solid offensive contributor as well, dropping 9.8 points per game. LSU has the best rebounding margin in the country, outrebounding opponents by 18.5 boards per game. In total, LSU is bringing down 48.7 rebounds per game.
Regarding LSU's depth, all but one player has played in 20 games this season. Mulkey spreads the opportunity throughout her team to keep the starters fresh. LSU's bench is responsible for 39.7 of the Tiger's nearly 96 points per game.
LAST TIME OUT
Cotie McMahon's historic outing propelled Ole Miss to victory over Tennessee, 94-81, Tuesday evening at the SJB Pavilion.
McMahon dropped a career high 39 points for the Rebels, which is tied with Ole Miss legends Eugenia Conner and Peggie Gillom for the third-most points ever by a Rebel in a single game. McMahon's point total trails only Gillom and Bianca Thomas for the most in program history.
Additionally, her 39 points are an SJB Pavilion record, which was previously set in 2019 by Crystal Allen when she scored 34. Two of Ole Miss' five best individual scoring efforts in program history have now come against Tennessee, the best performance being Gillom's 45 points against the Lady Vols in 1978. It also marked the most points by an individual in an SEC game this season.
With the win, Ole Miss has now won two of the past three meetings with Tennessee. The Rebels shattered their previous scoring high against the Lady Vols, with 94 points serving as the greatest point total ever, besting the previous high by 11 points.
With her performance against the Lady Vols, McMahon became just the fifth Rebel all-time to reach the 2,000-point mark for their overall career. She joined Ole Miss legends Peggie and Jennifer Gillom, Armintie Price and Angel Baker with her accomplishment. Her and Baker are the only Rebels to accomplish the feat after transferring to Ole Miss. In addition to her scoring, McMahon had a double-double with 10 rebounds and led the team in assists with five, making her the first Rebel in the past 25 seasons with at least 35 points and 10 rebounds in a game.
As a team, Ole Miss surpassed the 80-point plateau for the 14th time this season, tying Team 51 for the sixth most games of at least 80 points in a season in program history. They tied Team 50's total from last season, as well as the 1979-80 squad. Should the Rebels record one more game of at least 80 points, it would be tied for the third most in Ole Miss single season history.
Latasha Lattimore was no slouch against the Lady Vols, scoring 14 points with 12 rebounds. In doing so, she's recorded four straight games with a double-double, the last Rebel to accomplish that streak was Shakira Austin during the 2020-21 season. Of the five times McMahon has secured a double-double this season, another Rebel has as well (the others being Christeen Iwuala twice, Lattimore twice, and Sira Thienou). Iwuala added 16 points and five rebounds to Ole Miss' cause, and Tianna Thompson scored 12 points off the bench in support of the Rebel's efforts.
HISTORY REWRITTEN
Ole Miss and head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin have reached the 20-overall win plateau for a fifth consecutive season and the 23rd time in program history. It marks the first time in the 21st century that Ole Miss has reached at least 20 wins in five straight seasons and first since Van Chancellor led 11 consecutive teams to that mark from 1981-92.
This year, the Rebels look to tally at least 10 SEC wins for the fifth consecutive season. Coach Yo is the only coach in program history to have at least 20 overall wins and 10 SEC wins in four seasons at the helm.
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE REBELS
Single game tickets for the 2025-26 campaign are on sale now. Click here to secure yours today or visit OleMissTix.com.
Follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissWBB, Facebook at Ole Miss WBB and on Instagram at Ole MissWBB. You can also follow head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin on X at @YolettMcCuin.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's BasketballHIGHLIGHTS: Women's Basketball vs. Tennessee (2/17/26)
Tuesday, February 17
PRESSER: Yolett McPhee-McCuin (Tennessee Postgame)
Tuesday, February 17
PRESSER: Cotie McMahon & Christeen Iwuala (Tennessee Postgame)
Tuesday, February 17
PRESSER | Yolett McPhee-McCuin - Postgame at Kentucky (02-15-26)
Sunday, February 15