OXFORD, Miss. (Interstat) — Mississippi used a dominant second quarter to pull away from rival Mississippi State for a 93-68 women’s basketball victory Sunday at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. The Rebels outscored the Lady Bulldogs 29-18 in the period, turning a four-point lead into a 50-35 halftime advantage. Mississippi never trailed and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second half. Sira Thienou led all scorers with 20 points for Mississippi. Cotie McMahon added 21 points and Latasha Lattimore scored 17. Madison Francis and Chandler Prater each scored 15 for Mississippi State. The win improved Mississippi to 16-3 overall. Mississippi State fell to 14-4. An announced crowd of 4,634 attended the Southeastern Conference game.

OXFORD, Miss. (Interstat) — In a commanding display of offensive firepower, the Mississippi Rebels women’s basketball team rolled to a decisive 93-68 victory over in-state rival Mississippi State on Sunday afternoon at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. The Rebels, improving to 16-3 overall and in Southeastern Conference play, used a dominant second-quarter surge to seize control and never looked back against the visiting Lady Bulldogs, who fell to 14-4. Mississippi’s victory was fueled by a balanced and explosive attack, led by Sira Thienou’s game-high 20 points. The junior from Bamako, Mali, added three assists and a steal, continuing her strong recent form. She was complemented by Cotie McMahon, who scored 21 points in just 23 minutes, and Latasha Lattimore, who contributed 17 points and two assists. Christeen Iwuala added 14 points and a block for the Rebels. The game’s pivotal stretch came in the second quarter. After a competitive first period that ended with Mississippi leading 21-17, the Rebels erupted. They outscored Mississippi State 29-18 in the frame, turning a narrow edge into a 50-35 halftime advantage. The run was a collaborative effort, with Thienou, McMahon and Iwuala all making key baskets while the Rebels’ defense forced several Lady Bulldog turnovers that led to transition opportunities. Mississippi State, which was led by Chandler Prater’s 15 points and 14 points apiece from Destiney McPhaul and Favour Nwaedozi, could not mount a sustained challenge after halftime. The Rebels maintained their intensity, extending their lead throughout the second half. Madison Francis recorded three blocks for the Lady Bulldogs in the loss. The Rebels’ offensive efficiency was the story, as they consistently found high-percentage shots and capitalized on Mississippi State’s mistakes. The Lady Bulldogs struggled to contain Mississippi’s multifaceted scoring options, particularly in the paint and in transition. The win solidifies Mississippi’s position near the top of the SEC standings early in the conference schedule. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, the Rebels entered as heavy favorites with an 87.6% projected probability to win. The combined point total of 161 far exceeded the over/under line of 129.5. A crowd of 4,634 watched the conference matchup. Mississippi State will look to rebound when it hosts Vanderbilt on Thursday. Mississippi travels to face Georgia next Sunday.

Preview: Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs at Mississippi Rebels OXFORD, Miss. (Interstat) — A pivotal Southeastern Conference women’s basketball showdown is set for Sunday when the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs visit the Mississippi Rebels at The Pavilion. Both teams enter with strong overall records but are looking to solidify their conference standing. Mississippi State (14-3) is seeking to rebound from a 90-80 home loss to Tennessee on Thursday. The Lady Bulldogs also suffered a lopsided 95-47 defeat at Oklahoma on Jan. 4, sandwiching a dominant 75-53 win over Auburn. Mississippi (15-3) arrives with momentum after a key 74-69 road victory at Oklahoma on Thursday. The Rebels’ other recent loss was a narrow 67-64 defeat at Texas on Jan. 4. The matchup features two of the league’s top performers. Mississippi State will lean on Madison Francis, who scored 22 points and blocked four shots in the loss to Tennessee. She has been a consistent force, including a 30-point outing against Alabama State on Dec. 17. For the Rebels, Cotie McMahon has been on a tear, averaging 21.9 points over her last seven games. She posted 22 points and four assists in the win at Oklahoma and followed a 24-point, eight-rebound, five-assist performance against Georgia on Jan. 1. The Lady Bulldogs’ offense, which eclipsed 100 points three times in non-conference play, will test a Rebel defense that has held 10 opponents under 60 points this season. Mississippi State’s recent road struggles, however, including the 48-point loss at Oklahoma, remain a concern. Mississippi holds a slight edge in the SEC landscape and will aim to protect its home court. The Rebels’ schedule shows resilience, with their three losses coming by a combined 15 points. This contest marks the first of two scheduled meetings this season between the in-state rivals. The result will provide early clarity in a crowded SEC title race. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.