Ole Miss
Vanderbilt
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (01/29/2026) — Paced by a dominant performance from forward Cotie McMahon, the No. 17 Ole Miss Rebels secured a significant SEC victory Friday, defeating the No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores 83-75. The game, originally scheduled for Thursday in Oxford, was moved to Legacy Arena in Birmingham due to icy conditions.
McMahon led all scorers with 27 points, while Christeen Iwuala recorded a powerful double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds to help the Rebels hand the Commodores only their second loss of the season.
How It Happened
The Ole Miss Rebels established control early, building a commanding 44-25 lead by halftime. The Rebels' defense was stifling in the first half, holding Vanderbilt to just 10 points in the second quarter on 3-of-12 shooting. The Commodores committed 12 turnovers before the break as Ole Miss dictated the pace of the game.
Vanderbilt, refusing to go down quietly, mounted a fierce comeback in the second half. A 9-2 scoring run to open the third quarter quickly cut the deficit to single digits. The Commodores shot an impressive 64.7% from the field in the third frame, with guard Mikayla Blakes pouring in 11 of her team-high 29 points in the period to bring her team back into contention.
Turning Point
The game reached its climax in the fourth quarter. After chipping away at the lead, Vanderbilt's Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda converted a three-point play with 5:56 remaining to give the Commodores their first lead since the opening minutes, 67-64.
The Rebels responded immediately and decisively. Ole Miss answered with a 7-0 burst to kickstart an 11-3 run, reclaiming the lead for good at 75-70 with just under two minutes to play. Down the stretch, McMahon and Debreasha Powe sealed the victory by converting four consecutive free throws in the final minute.
Stars of the Game
Cotie McMahon was the offensive engine for the Ole Miss Rebels, scoring 27 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists. Christeen Iwuala was a force in the paint, tying her career-high with 14 rebounds and adding 18 points on an efficient 8-for-11 shooting performance. She also led the team with three steals and two blocks.
For the Vanderbilt Commodores, Mikayla Blakes delivered a valiant 29-point effort, shooting 10-for-24 from the field. Aubrey Galvan added 18 points, and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda finished with 11.
What It Means
The victory marks the Rebels' sixth consecutive win over Vanderbilt and their second win over a top-five opponent this season. For Ole Miss (18-4, 5-2 SEC), the win provides a major boost to their conference standing and national profile. The Rebels demonstrated resilience by weathering a significant second-half surge from a top-ranked opponent and executing under pressure.
For Vanderbilt (20-2, 6-2 SEC), the loss snaps a lengthy winning streak but does little to diminish an outstanding season. The Commodores' potent offense was on display during their third-quarter rally, but first-half turnovers and an inability to get crucial stops in the final minutes proved to be their undoing. Both teams remain formidable contenders in the highly competitive SEC landscape.