Preview: Alcorn State Lady Braves at Mississippi Rebels UNIVERSITY, Miss. (Interstat) — The Mississippi Rebels look to rebound from a rare setback when they host the struggling Alcorn State Lady Braves in a nonconference women’s basketball game Sunday at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mississippi (12-2) saw a seven-game winning streak snapped with a 66-49 loss at Michigan State on Monday. Before that, the Rebels had been dominant, winning their previous five games by an average of 44.2 points. They are 7-0 at home this season. A key to the Rebels’ success has been forward Christeen Iwuala, who is averaging 15.1 points per game. She scored 23 points in a win at Old Dominion on Dec. 21 and has reached double figures in scoring in eight of her last nine contests. Alcorn State (2-7) enters on a five-game losing streak, with its last victory coming against Rust College on Dec. 1. The Lady Braves have faced a difficult schedule, including losses to Power Five opponents Auburn, Alabama, LSU and Mississippi State. They are 0-6 on the road. Guard Lauren Nelson will be a focal point for Alcorn State. She led the team with 16 points in its most recent game, the 62-50 loss at Auburn on Dec. 18. Nakia Cheathman, who added 14 points in that contest, provides additional scoring. Mississippi holds a significant statistical advantage, averaging 78.6 points per game while allowing just 54.1. Alcorn State averages 52.7 points and has been held under 40 points three times this season. This is the final nonconference tune-up for both teams before league play begins. Mississippi opens its Southeastern Conference schedule at home against Georgia on Jan. 1. Alcorn State begins Southwestern Athletic Conference play at Jackson State on Jan. 3. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CST Sunday.