Ole Miss
Battle's Last-Second Jumper Sinks Ole Miss in 65-63 Heartbreaker
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (03/21/2026) — A pull-up jumper from Amaya Battle with one second remaining lifted the Minnesota Golden Gophers to a dramatic 65-63 victory over the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday night at Williams Arena.
The shot capped a furious fourth-quarter comeback for Minnesota and ended a hard-fought contest that saw the Rebels lead by as many as eight points in the second half. Despite a strong shooting performance, Ole Miss could not hold off the late surge from the Golden Gophers in a game that featured eight ties and two lead changes.
How It Happened
Ole Miss started strong, with Cotie McMahon hitting a driving layup just 14 seconds into the game to open the scoring. The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, but a buzzer-beating 23-foot three-pointer from Minnesota's Mara Braun gave the Golden Gophers a 17-12 lead heading into the second period.
Minnesota maintained its advantage through the second quarter, largely thanks to its perimeter shooting. Threes from Braun and Grace Grocholski helped the Golden Gophers build a 30-24 lead. The Rebels kept pace with timely buckets from McMahon and Tianna Thompson, and two free throws from Denim DeShields cut the Minnesota lead to 32-29 at halftime.
The third quarter was a showcase for Ole Miss. The Rebels opened the half with a Debreasha Powe three-pointer to tie the game at 32-32, igniting a dominant run. Ole Miss controlled the period on both ends of the floor, with Sira Thienou and Denim DeShields connecting from deep to build a multi-possession lead. A turnaround jump shot from Thienou in the final minute gave the Rebels a 54-46 advantage going into the final frame.
Turning Point
Facing an eight-point deficit, Minnesota methodically clawed its way back in the fourth quarter. The game's pivotal sequence unfolded in the final 90 seconds. With Ole Miss clinging to a two-point advantage, Minnesota’s Mara Braun hit a clutch 24-foot step-back jumper to tie the score at 61-61 with 1:17 to play.
After a defensive stop, the Golden Gophers had the ball for the final possession. With the clock winding down, Amaya Battle drove into the lane and rose for a 13-foot jumper that fell through the net with 0:01 remaining, securing the win for Minnesota and stunning the Rebels.
Stars of the Game
Amaya Battle delivered the game's most crucial basket, the game-winning jumper in the final second. She also facilitated for her teammates, dishing out multiple assists. Mara Braun was instrumental for the Golden Gophers throughout the contest, hitting several key three-pointers, including the shot that tied the game late in the fourth quarter.
For Ole Miss, Sira Thienou was a key offensive contributor, knocking down multiple long-range jumpers during the Rebels' dominant third-quarter run that gave them a late lead.
What It Means
The gut-wrenching loss is a difficult end to the season for Ole Miss. The Rebels were efficient offensively, shooting 43% from the field and an impressive 46% from three-point range, but were unable to close out the game on the road after building a substantial second-half lead. The performance highlighted their offensive capabilities but also the fine margins that decide postseason contests.
For the Minnesota Golden Gophers, the victory is a significant achievement built on late-game poise and execution. Overcoming a large deficit in the final quarter in front of a home crowd of over 10,000 provides a major boost as their season continues.