Ole Miss
Vanderbilt
GREENVILLE, S.C. (03/05/2026) — The Ole Miss Rebels unleashed a first-quarter offensive onslaught and never looked back, securing an 89-78 wire-to-wire victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores on Thursday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Ole Miss delivered a staggering shooting performance, connecting on 57% of its field goals and a blistering 50% from three-point range. The Rebels’ offensive precision from the opening tip built a lead that Vanderbilt, despite a furious late-game rally, could not overcome.
How It Happened
From the outset, Ole Miss established complete control. After an opening layup from Vanderbilt's Jayla Murray, the Rebels ignited for a game-defining 17-0 run. Tianna Thompson was the catalyst, draining a 26-foot three-pointer at the 5:08 mark of the first quarter to make it 11-2. She struck again from deep with 1:06 left in the period, pushing the Ole Miss advantage to 22-2. By the end of the quarter, the Rebels held a commanding 25-6 lead.
The dominance continued into the second frame. While Vanderbilt's Justine Pissott tried to spark a comeback with a 29-foot three-pointer, Ole Miss had an immediate answer. Cotie McMahon and Latasha Lattimore hit consecutive long-range shots to swell the lead to 33-11. The Rebels closed the half with suffocating offense, capped by a Tianna Thompson layup just before the buzzer to enter halftime with a 49-17 lead.
Vanderbilt found its offensive rhythm in the second half but faced an insurmountable deficit. The Commodores began chipping away, with Aubrey Galvan and Mikayla Blakes hitting multiple three-pointers in the third quarter. Still, Ole Miss maintained a comfortable 65-41 lead heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter saw a spectacular, albeit futile, comeback attempt from Vanderbilt. Mikayla Blakes caught fire, draining four three-pointers in the period, including two in the final minute of play. Aubrey Galvan and Denim DeShields also connected from deep. The Commodores outscored the Rebels in the quarter, but the early damage was done, and Ole Miss sealed the 11-point victory.
Turning Point
The game was decided in the opening minutes. The Rebels’ 17-0 run in the first quarter completely seized the momentum. After Vanderbilt scored to make it 2-2, Ole Miss held the Commodores scoreless for several minutes while its offense erupted. The run established a 20-point lead from which Ole Miss never wavered, forcing Vanderbilt to play from behind for the entire contest.
Stars of the Game
While final individual statistics were pending, the entire Ole Miss offense deserves recognition. The team’s collective 57% shooting from the field and 50% from beyond the arc was the story of the game. Tianna Thompson was pivotal in the decisive first-quarter run, hitting multiple deep threes that broke the game open early.
For Vanderbilt, guard Mikayla Blakes mounted a remarkable one-person charge in the fourth quarter. Her sharpshooting, including four late three-pointers, gave the Commodores a chance and made the final score more respectable.
What It Means
The victory allows Ole Miss to advance in the SEC Tournament, their potent offense serving as a clear warning to future opponents. A repeat of this shooting display could make the Rebels a difficult out in Greenville. For Vanderbilt, the loss ends its tournament run. The Commodores showed resilience with their second-half offensive surge but will now await their postseason fate after being unable to recover from the early deficit.