LSU
Ole Miss
Fulwiley's Career Night Powers LSU Past Ole Miss in 78-70 Road Win
OXFORD, Miss. (02/19/2026) — In a crucial SEC showdown with postseason implications, the No. 7 LSU Tigers clawed back from a double-digit deficit to secure a hard-fought 78-70 victory over the No. 17 Ole Miss Rebels on Thursday night at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion. The win improves LSU's overall record to 23-4, while Ole Miss falls to 21-7.
How It Happened
The game was a tale of two halves, with LSU starting strong before the Rebels stormed back. The Tigers built an early 10-point lead in the first quarter, but Ole Miss dominated the second, outscoring the visitors 22-11 to take a 43-37 lead into halftime. The Rebels' first-half surge was fueled by the hot shooting of Cotie McMahon, who scored 18 of her game-high 25 points before the break.
Ole Miss extended its lead to as many as 13 points in the second half. However, LSU mounted a ferocious fourth-quarter comeback. The Tigers' defense was the story of the final period, holding the Rebels without a single field goal on 0-for-17 shooting. LSU outscored Ole Miss 24-7 in the final ten minutes to seal the comeback victory.
Turning Point
The game's momentum permanently shifted late in the fourth quarter. Trailing 69-61, LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley ignited a game-changing run with a contested layup. A steal and coast-to-coast finish by Fulwiley moments later trimmed the deficit to four. Jada Richard's jumper tied the game at 69-69 with 3:41 remaining before Fulwiley gave LSU the lead for good from the free-throw line on the ensuing possession. The Tigers never looked back, closing out the game with clutch scoring and suffocating defense.
Star of the Game
MiLaysia Fulwiley was the catalyst for LSU, delivering a career-high 26 points on an efficient 10-of-18 shooting from the field. She was particularly dominant in the second half, scoring 12 points in the third quarter alone to keep the Tigers within striking distance before her fourth-quarter heroics sealed the win. Flau'jae Johnson also provided a critical scoring punch with 18 points, despite an ankle injury scare in the first half.
For Ole Miss, Cotie McMahon led all scorers with 25 points. Christeen Iwuala and Latasha Lattimore also reached double figures, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively, with each grabbing eight rebounds.
What It Means
This victory was pivotal for LSU, as the Tigers and Rebels were tied in the SEC standings entering the contest. The win gives LSU a crucial head-to-head tiebreaker and strengthens its position for a top-four seed and a double-bye in the upcoming SEC Tournament. For Ole Miss, the loss marks their second in five days against a ranked opponent and is a setback in their quest to host an NCAA Regional. The road victory demonstrates LSU's resilience as they continue to build their resume for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.