tennessee vs ole miss: Cotie McMahon’s 39 lifts No. 17 Ole Miss in statement win
Cotie McMahon turned in a dominating performance that defined the outcome of the meeting between No. 17 Ole Miss and No. 21 Tennessee. McMahon finished with 39 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as the Rebels pulled away in a victory that underscored her ability to influence the game in multiple ways.
McMahon’s offensive masterpiece
McMahon’s stat line was the headline: 39 points on a night when she attacked the rim, knocked down shots from distance and created for teammates. Her 10 rebounds gave Ole Miss second-chance opportunities and helped control the glass against a Tennessee frontcourt that had battled all season. The five assists showed she was more than a scorer; McMahon repeatedly drew defensive attention and then finished or found open shooters as the defense collapsed.
Beyond raw numbers, McMahon’s impact came in timing. Big baskets in the second quarter erased Tennessee momentum, and a string of drives late in the game deflated multiple Lady Vols rallies. Defensive activity and board presence complemented her scoring, turning what might have been a one-dimensional outing into a near-flawless all-around performance.
Vols roster questions and how they mattered
Tennessee entered the matchup shorthanded. Freshman point guard Mia Pauldo was unavailable for a third straight game, and Nya Robertson was listed as questionable leading up to tip. Pauldo’s absence forced lineup adjustments; she had been averaging 11. 6 points, 2. 6 rebounds and 2. 5 assists on the season and had lifted her production in conference play to about 14. 4 points per game.
Robertson’s minutes and shooting touch were also an element to monitor. She has averaged roughly 8. 0 points per game, shooting in the mid-30s both overall and from three, and has provided perimeter spacing when available. The lack of depth at the point of attack and limited options off the bench allowed McMahon and the Rebels to exploit mismatches and sustain offensive pressure.
Tennessee’s recent stretch before the game had included a decisive win over a conference opponent and a narrow loss to a top-five nonconference team, moves that helped the program sit at No. 21 entering this contest. Still, the combination of lineup disruptions and McMahon’s singular night proved too much to overcome.
What this means for the SEC picture
The result matters beyond a single win and loss. For Ole Miss, a victory over a top-25 opponent behind a performance like McMahon’s solidifies the Rebels as a threat in the conference race and provides momentum heading into the closing stretch of the regular season. For Tennessee, the game exposed how much the roster can be impacted by the absence of a primary ballhandler and the importance of available depth down the stretch.
The matchup had been scheduled for a 7 p. m. ET tip-off, and both teams face demanding slate ahead: Tennessee’s schedule remains packed with a mix of ranked opponents that will test the roster’s resilience, while Ole Miss will look to build on this signature win as it pursues higher seeding in the conference standings. How each team adjusts—whether through lineup tweaks or a change in game plan—will be telling in the weeks to come.
