Ole Miss
Tennessee
McMahon's Career Night Lifts Ole Miss Over Tennessee
OXFORD, Miss. (02/17/2026) — The Ole Miss Rebels, fueled by a historic offensive performance from Cotie McMahon, secured a crucial 94-81 victory over the Tennessee Lady Volunteers on Tuesday night at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. McMahon erupted for a career-high 39 points, leading the Rebels to a decisive Southeastern Conference win in front of 3,335 fans.
The Rebels established control early and never looked back, taking an 18-12 lead after the first quarter as the Lady Vols struggled with their shooting. Ole Miss extended its advantage throughout the contest, delivering a commanding performance on their home court.
How It Happened
From the opening tip, Ole Miss dictated the pace of the game. The Rebels' offense was efficient, shooting 51% from the field for the game. After building a solid lead in the first half, Ole Miss blew the game open in the third quarter with a 31-point offensive outburst that Tennessee could not answer. The Rebels also dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Lady Volunteers 41 to 36.
Tennessee fought to stay in the game, with Talaysia Cooper delivering a season-best 30-point effort. Lauren Hurst provided a spark off the bench with 16 points. However, the Lady Vols' overall shooting percentage of 43% was not enough to overcome the Rebels' offensive firepower. Tennessee also committed 16 turnovers, which hampered their ability to mount a sustained comeback.
Turning Point
The decisive moment of the game came in the third quarter. Ole Miss exploded for 31 points, effectively putting the game out of reach. This offensive surge was spearheaded by McMahon, who was unstoppable from all levels of the court. The Rebels' ability to convert on their possessions and extend their lead during this period broke the game open and left the Lady Volunteers with too large a deficit to overcome in the final frame.
Star of the Game
Without a doubt, the star of the game was Ole Miss's Cotie McMahon. The senior forward was sensational, pouring in a career-high 39 points. Her dominant performance included a double-double, as she also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out five assists. McMahon's scoring prowess was the driving force behind the Rebels' victory.
Supporting McMahon's historic night was a strong team effort from the Rebels. Latasha Lattimore recorded her fourth consecutive double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Christeen Iwuala added 16 points, and Tianna Thompson chipped in with 12 points.
What It Means
This victory is a significant one for the Ole Miss Rebels, improving their standing within the highly competitive Southeastern Conference. The win keeps them in the upper echelon of the league as they head into a tough stretch of their schedule, including an upcoming home game against LSU.
For the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, the loss marks their second in three days and drops them to 8-4 in SEC play. The Lady Vols will need to regroup quickly as they return home to Knoxville for a matchup against Texas A&M. The loss underscores the challenges Tennessee faces in a deep and talented SEC, where every conference game carries significant weight for postseason positioning.