Cotie McMahon Shines in Mississippi's Thrilling Win Over Vanderbilt

Game Summary

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In a thrilling encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats, Cotie McMahon took center stage, dropping a spectacular 27 points as No. 17 Mississippi edged out No. 5 Vanderbilt 83-75 on Friday night at Legacy Arena. The matchup originally scheduled for Thursday was shifted due to icy weather, but the outcome was nothing short of spectacular.

McMahon's impressive performance was complemented by Christeen Iwuala, who contributed 18 points and 14 rebounds. Together, they fueled a commanding first-half performance that saw Ole Miss lead 44-25 at halftime. Vanderbilt struggled to find their rhythm early on, shooting a mere 3-of-12 in the second quarter and compiling 12 turnovers.

The Turning Point

Coming out of halftime, it was clear that Vanderbilt wasn't done fighting. The Commodores made a fierce comeback in the third quarter, hitting 11 of their 17 shots and cutting the deficit to 60-51, with Mikayla Blakes scoring 11 of those points. This burst of energy shifted the momentum and had Ole Miss on high alert.

“We had to dig deep when they started to come back,” McMahon said post-game. “It feels amazing to help my team secure this win.”

Clutch Moments

With just under six minutes remaining in the fourth, Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda executed a three-point play that gave Vanderbilt its first lead since early in the game, at 67-64. Undaunted, Mississippi quickly retaliated, responding with an 11-3 run that reclaimed the lead and set the tone for the waning moments of the game.

In the final minute, McMahon and Debreasha Powe sank four crucial free throws, helping seal the deal for the Rebels. This victory marked Mississippi's sixth consecutive win in the rivalry, sending a clear message: they are a force to be reckoned with.

A Glimpse Ahead

As we look to what's next, Vanderbilt is set to host Florida on Sunday, while Ole Miss remains in Birmingham to face Auburn on Monday. Both teams will have to adapt quickly, as SEC competition intensifies.

Stats Snapshot

• Ole Miss: McMahon 27 pts, Iwuala 18 pts, 14 rebs, Lattimore 12 pts.
• Vanderbilt: Blakes 29 pts, Galvan 18 pts, Mwenentanda 11 pts.

The final score tells a story of resilience, strategy, and heart – a day when Mississippi showed it can hang with the big dogs of college basketball. The energy in Legacy Arena was palpable, leaving fans buzzing about what comes next!