In Oxford, Mississippi, Sania Feagin and Chloe Kitts led No. 6 South Carolina to a decisive 75-59 victory over Mississippi on Thursday night. Feagin notched 22 points while Kitts secured a triple-double with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. This win ensures that the Gamecocks, holding a record of 26-3 and 14-1 in the Southeastern Conference, remain tied with No. 1 Texas at the top of the league standings.
Feagin showcased her precision by hitting 10 out of 13 shots from the field, helping South Carolina to extend a narrow 37-33 halftime lead into a commanding 20-12 burst in the final quarter. For Ole Miss, Sira Thienou led her team with 15 points, and Christeen Iwuala contributed 10 points while grabbing nine rebounds.
Despite their efforts which included forcing 15 turnovers and blocking nine shots, the Rebels struggled with a shooting average of just 37% from the field. In contrast, South Carolina effectively converted 45% of their shots, going 13 out of 25 in the second half alone.
Key insights from the game highlighted South Carolina’s resilience; securing a tough road win against a spirited crowd and an NCAA Tournament contender was notable. By clinching one of the top four seeds in the SEC Tournament, they have earned a double-bye. After a challenging phase in mid-February with two losses in three games, the defending national champions seem to be on an upward trajectory once more.
Conversely, the defeat puts Ole Miss (18-9, 9-6) into a tight competition for the four single-bye positions in the SEC Tournament. Although their defense showed tenacity for 30 minutes, they struggled with consistent offense throughout the match.
A pivotal point in the game occurred when South Carolina established a 44-35 lead thanks to a 14-4 run that bridged the second and third quarters, capped by Raven Johnson’s short jumper. Ole Miss was unable to close the gap to less than seven points thereafter.
The Gamecocks’ dominance was particularly evident in the paint, as they outscored the Rebels 46-32, converting 17 of 28 layup attempts, whereas Ole Miss only managed 11 out of 27.
Looking ahead, South Carolina will conclude its regular-season schedule by hosting No. 15 Kentucky, while Ole Miss is set to face No. 7 LSU.
