Ole Miss beats Vanderbilt 89-78 in SEC Tournament quarterfinals

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Latasha Lattimore scored 28 points and Cotie McMahon added 27 as No. 24 Ole Miss built a 32-point third-quarter lead and held on late to beat fifth-ranked Vanderbilt 89-78 in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals Friday.

The Rebels (23-10) jumped out to a 23-2 lead in the first quarter and maintained momentum throughout, securing their second win of the season over the Commodores (27-4). Ole Miss will face either No. 4 Texas or Alabama in Saturday’s semifinals.

Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes, who averaged more than 30 points per game in conference play, struggled early, missing her first 12 shots, including five 3-pointers. She did not make her first field goal until 2:31 remained in the third quarter after battling early foul trouble. Blakes finished with 24 points and helped rally Vanderbilt in the fourth quarter, trimming the lead to nine with three minutes remaining.

Aubrey Galvan added 18 points for Vanderbilt. The Commodores outscored Ole Miss 37-24 in the final period, but their comeback effort fell short. Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph was ejected with 9:25 left after arguing a foul call that went against Blakes, who dove on the floor to recover a loose ball.

Ole Miss capitalized on Vanderbilt’s early struggles, holding the Volunteers to 1-for-15 shooting in the first quarter and forcing turnovers that led to easy baskets. Vanderbilt’s frustrations boiled over in the fourth quarter, leading to Ralph’s ejection and a late surge from the Commodores.

Ole Miss will play in the semifinals Saturday, while Vanderbilt awaits its NCAA Tournament seed.

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