Minnesota Edges Ole Miss in Thrilling Finish to Advance to Sweet Sixteen
In a nail-biting Round of 32 matchup at Williams Arena, the 4-seed Minnesota Golden Gophers emerged victorious over the 5-seed Ole Miss Lady Rebels, 65-63. This dramatic finish sends Minnesota to the Sweet Sixteen and brings Ole Miss’ season to a close.
A Familiar NCAA-Stage Goal
Ole Miss, with a 24-11 record, aimed to reach their third Sweet Sixteen in four years. Meanwhile, Minnesota (23-8) capitalized on their home-court advantage, coming out with determination and energy.
Minnesota Controls the First Half with Shooting
The Gophers set the pace early, building a 17-12 lead after the first quarter. Despite Ole Miss staying within striking distance, Minnesota's shooting efficiency was the standout factor.
At halftime, Minnesota led 32-29, shooting a sizzling 50% from the field and an impressive 67% from beyond the arc. Ole Miss, while hitting half of their threes, struggled overall at 32%.
Both teams were neck and neck in other aspects, sharing 15 rebounds each and keeping turnovers nearly even. Minnesota’s Mara Braun led all scorers with 11 points at the break, while Ole Miss relied on a balanced offensive approach.
Ole Miss Flips the Game After Halftime
The Lady Rebels came out of the locker room with renewed vigor, ramping up their defensive pressure and finding their offensive rhythm. Ole Miss turned their three-point halftime deficit into a commanding 54-46 lead by the end of the third quarter, positioning themselves just 10 minutes away from the Sweet Sixteen.
A Chaotic Fourth Quarter and a Star Fouls Out
The final quarter was a thrilling back-and-forth battle. Ole Miss maintained a 59-54 lead with just over four minutes remaining when a pivotal moment occurred: Rebels star Cotie McMahon fouled out. Minnesota seized the opportunity, cutting the lead to three with two free throws from Sophie Hart.
Ole Miss tried to regain control as Sira Thienou hit a clutch jumper, extending their lead. But Minnesota wasn’t backing down.
Final Seconds: Tie, Lead Change, and a March Moment
With under two minutes left, Mara Braun delivered for the Gophers, sinking a step-back three to knot the score at 61-61. Minnesota then grabbed their first lead since the third quarter with a tough layup by Hart, making it 63-61 with just 14 seconds to play.
Ole Miss showed resilience, as Latasha Lattimore scored a crucial layup off an assist from Denim DeShields, tying the game at 63-63 with a mere 3.5 seconds left.
It seemed overtime was inevitable, but Amaya Battle had other plans. With less than a second on the clock, Battle sank a near buzzer-beating jumper, putting Minnesota ahead 65-63 with 0.8 seconds remaining. Ole Miss had one last shot as Tianna Thompson attempted a desperate three, but it fell short.
Final Score: Minnesota 65, Ole Miss 63.
The Golden Gophers advance to the Sweet Sixteen, overcoming Ole Miss’ third-quarter surge and demonstrating remarkable composure in the closing seconds. Ole Miss' season ends in heartbreak, undone by late fouls, a sudden Minnesota rally, and one decisive shot that sealed their fate.