WACO, Texas — The tension in the arena was palpable when Madison Scott raised her arms in exasperation, seeking a foul call after scoring a critical basket early in the fourth quarter. However, it was jubilation that greeted her later as she secured the winning points for the Rebels. Scott contributed 14 points, including a decisive jumper in the closing moments, to lead Ole Miss to a 69-63 triumph over Baylor in the women’s NCAA Tournament, clinching a spot in the Sweet 16. This victory held special significance as it took place on Baylor’s home court.
Scott received essential support from Sira Thienou, who battled through adversity, playing with gauze in her nostril and scoring 16 points. The Rebels, with a 22-10 record, overcame Baylor in Waco just three years after a previous loss in the tournament, highlighting their growth. Scott stood as the sole player from the current roster who was part of the team that confronted defeat in Texas back in 2022, now turning the tables with her clutch play, scoring a pivotal shot to grant her team a 63-61 lead with just 40 seconds left.
Reflecting on the game, Scott shared her determination to steer her team to victory and ensure a more favorable outcome compared to past experiences. “It definitely was in the back of my head that I wanted to come and lead my team to victory,” Scott expressed, acknowledging her gratitude for the team’s success in securing two crucial wins.
For Baylor, Aaronette Vonleh netted 16 points while Jada Walker added 15. Despite their efforts, the Bears (28-8) were unable to progress to the Sweet 16 from their home court for the second time under coach Nicki Collen, contrasting their prior eight successful attempts under former coach Kim Mulkey.
Ole Miss saw its chance to play on its home ground slip away, settling instead for the No. 5 seed. They have now advanced to the Spokane 1 Regional, marking their second Sweet 16 appearance in three seasons under coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, who expressed contentment and fulfillment with the team’s accomplishments. “It was really gratifying when the buzzer sounded, and we had the victory,” McPhee-McCuin remarked.
The game remained tight, with Baylor managing to level the score at 59-all through a putback from Vonleh. However, Scott’s decisive shot after a timeout cemented the Rebels’ lead. In the final moments, Baylor’s Yaya Felder missed a critical three-pointer, leading KK Deans of Ole Miss to secure the victory with her impeccable free-throw shooting, contributing six crucial points.
Throughout the match, both teams exhibited perseverance, responding with crucial plays to maintain the balance. Coach Collen acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the contest, saying, “They made one more play than us tonight and made it at the right time.”
During the game’s second quarter, Ole Miss faced a scoring drought, failing to register points in the final 5:39, which enabled the Bears to finish the half leading 29-26. However, the Rebels regained momentum in the third quarter with a fast-paced exchange of points from both teams. Significant contributions came from Andrews of Baylor and Kennedy Todd-Williams of Ole Miss, with each making critical three-pointers that brought about a 38-38 tie. Despite initial struggles from beyond the arc, Ole Miss eventually hit two of ten attempts, while Baylor managed only two out of fifteen.
In the heat of competition, Scott vocally contested a foul call in the second quarter, leading coach McPhee-McCuin to step in to calm her star player. “She was just losing it,” McPhee-McCuin recounted, emphasizing the importance of keeping composure in challenging moments. Despite Scott’s protests, the coach reassured her of the team’s position and the fair officiating observed during the game.