# SEC Women's Basketball: Ole Miss Rebels Defeats Vanderbilt Commodores 83-75

**Published:** 2026-01-30 — **By:** Stacy Stanfield
**Category:** games — **Type:** game-recap
**Source:** https://secscouts.com/news/ole-miss-defeats-vanderbilt-sec-womens-basketball-83-75

**Teams:** [Ole Miss](https://secscouts.com/ole-miss/), [Vanderbilt](https://secscouts.com/vanderbilt/)


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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.

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*Original article: [SEC Women's Basketball: Ole Miss Rebels Defeats Vanderbilt Commodores 83-75](https://secscouts.com/news/ole-miss-defeats-vanderbilt-sec-womens-basketball-83-75) — SEC Scouts*