McPhee-McCuin, Rebels easily win their season opener

Bahamian women’s basketball head coach for the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Lady Rebels Yolett ‘Coach Yo’ McPhee-McCuin got a rousing start to the season as they turned back McNeese State emphatically in their home gym, the Pavilion in Oxford, Mississippi, on Monday.

The Lady Rebels won easily, 99-44, turning in their most points in a season opener in 15 years and they did it behind a balanced scoring attacked by an unassuming freshman who shot the lights out at the gymnasium.

Silentianna “Snudda” Collins came off the bench and dropped in a game-high 23 points, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and 5-for-8 from deep. On the strength of sharp shooting, the Lady Rebels took control early and never looked back, particularly gratifying for McPhee-McCuin given the number of new faces on the roster this year, seven in total.

The Lady Rebels connected on 32 of 62 shots for the game (51.6 percent). They shot 38.1 percent from distance (8-for-21) and allowed an opponent their lowest field goal percentage in the McPhee-McCuin era.

“… just extremely grateful to be out here and playing,” McPhee-McCuin told reporters after the game. “With our last game getting canceled, my girls refused to get excited for the game until shootaround. I just remember calling (McNeese State Head Coach) Kacie (Cryer) and saying, ‘If we can’t play you, my kids are going to take me out.’ I was really glad that we passed the protocol, and everyone was safe. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to get out here and finally play a game.”

It’s been an unusual offseason for collegiate programs in the United States with the uncertainty of play due to the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic. November 25 was listed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as the earliest college basketball games could get underway, and even that didn’t work out for the Lady Rebels. They were scheduled to face Northwestern State University that night, but that game had to be canceled due to positive COVID-19 cases among the 

Northwestern State program.

The Lady Rebels reacted as if they were shot out of a cannon when they finally got on the court, taking complete advantage of a McNeese State team that appeared to be completely bewildered and outmatched.

The McNeese State Cowgirls got an early three-point shot from Claralee Richard for the first field goal of the game, but the Lady Rebels responded with a 10-0 scoring run and never looked back. By the end of the first quarter, they were already ahead by double figures, 24-10.

The Lady Rebels kept the pressure on in the second quarter behind McDonald’s All-American forward Madison Scott and ESPN No. 1 rated transfer Shakira Austin, who was recently named preseason second-team All-SEC, and as one of 20 honorees on the 2021 Lisa Leslie Award Preseason Watch List which recognizes the top female centers in the NCAA.

Austin struck for a couple jumpers in the second and Scott led the way with nine points for the Lady Rebels in that quarter, leading them to a comfortable 44-15 cushion at the break. Nothing much changed in the third quarter as the Lady Rebels raced out to a 72-25 advantage after three and they continued to pour it on the fourth.

Led by Collins, the Southeastern (SEC) Freshman of the Week, five Lady Rebels scored in double figures. Scott finished with 15 points, three rebounds and two steals, Caitlin McGee had 13 points and six rebounds off the bench, Austin contributed a dozen, six rebounds, four blocks and two steals, and Donnetta Johnson had an all-around game with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Collins stole the show, scoring the most points by a Lady Rebels’ freshman since the 1998-99 season.

“We knew she could do that, and she’s just getting started,” McPhee-McCuin said afterwards. “So much of her game is going to be developed while she’s here, and I think she’s going to make history here at Ole Miss.”

McPhee-McCuin was pleased with what she got from the highly-touted Austin.

“Kira is the type of player who will rise to the occasion. As play gets better, she will get better,” she said.

McPhee-McCuin is optimistic for the remainder of the season, despite the uncertainty brought forward by COVID-19.

“The goal is for our players to be safe and for us to play basketball. I don’t care if I have to wear a hazmat suit, that’s what I’ll do to be able to do something that I love,” she said.

Callie Maddox was the only player in double figures for the Cowgirls, finishing with 13 points, three steals and two rebounds.

The Lady Rebels have been picked to finish 11th overall in the preseason coaches poll in the SEC. They finished winless in SEC play a year ago at 0-16, and were just 7-23 overall.

The Lady Rebels will welcome the Kansas Jayhawks to Oxford for the first time ever as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge today. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) in Oxford, 8:30 p.m. in The Bahamas.

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