Ole Miss women’s basketball now has its first ranked win of the season.
The Rebels (8-0) hosted No. 19 Notre Dame (5-2) for the ACC/SEC Challenge at Sandy and John Black Pavilion on Dec. 4. Facing a ranked team for the first time this season, No. 13 Ole Miss trailed by 19 points in the second quarter but fought back to beat Notre Dame 69-62.
Ole Miss outrebounded Notre Dame 42-27. The Rebels outscored Notre Dame 21-12 in the third quarter to take its first lead of the night heading into the fourth quarter.
Cotie McMahon led the Rebels in scoring with 22 points. Christeen Iwuala poured in 18 points with 13 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season.
Ole Miss women’s basketball vs. Notre Dame live score updates
Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo was ejected from the game with 9.2 second to play after picking up technical fouls on back-to-back possessions for taunting and exchanging words with Ole Miss’ Sira Thienou.
Notre Dame’s Malaya Cowles picked up her fifth foul at the 4:51 mark in the fourth quarter. Cowles recorded 12 points on 6-for-9 shooting and five rebounds in 26 minutes.
Ole Miss has its first lead of the game. They gained it with 48 seconds to go in the quarter. Debreasha Powe hit a three to give Ole Miss a one-point lead, and Cotie McMahon followed it up with a fast break layup on the next possession. A pair of Hannah Hidalgo free throws at the end of the half brought it back to a one-point game.
At the third quarter media timeout, Cotie McMahon is the only Ole Miss player to have scored double-digit points. She leads the team with 12. Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo leads all scorers with 20 points. Shooting 50% from the field, Notre Dame leads 43-36.
In the final five minutes of the quarter Ole Miss cut Notre Dame’s lead from 19 points to eight points going into halftime using a 13-2 run. Cotie McMahon leads the Rebels in scoring with nine points on 4-for-8 shooting. As a team, Ole Miss is just 3-for-16 from beyond the arc.
Although Ole Miss tied the game 14-14 midway through the first quarter, Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo hit back-to-back threes to put Notre Dame back on top. The Fighting Irish went on an 8-0 run over the next two minutes.
When does Ole Miss women’s basketball vs. Notre Dame start?
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 4
- Time: 8 p.m. CT
- Where: Sandy and John Black Pavilion, Oxford
What TV channel is Ole Miss vs. Notre Dame on today?
- TV: ESPN2
- Streaming: ESPN2
- How to watch online: FUBO (Free trial)
Ole Miss vs. Notre Dame prediction
Notre Dame 68, Ole Miss 63: In its first ranked matchup of the season, it’ll be a challenge for Ole Miss to contend with a Notre Dame team that’s already knocked off on top-15 opponent this season.
Ole Miss women’s basketball 2025-26 schedule
Next five games
- Dec. 7: Kansas State (2 p.m. CT, ESPN+) Bill Snyder Classic, St. Joseph, MO
- Dec 13: Wofford (12 p.m. CT, SEC Network+)
- Dec. 14: South Carolina State (2 p.m. CT, SEC Network+)
- Dec. 17: Mississippi Valley State (6 p.m. CT, SEC Network+)
- Dec. 21: Old Dominion (6 p.m. CT) Cherokee Invitational, Cherokee, NC
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.
