MINNEAPOLIS — Latasha Lattimore led a balanced offense with 15 points as Mississippi overpowered Gonzaga 81-66 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA women’s college basketball tournament.
Cotie McMahon scored 13 points and Sira Thienou had 12 points, eight rebounds and four blocks for Mississippi, who on Sunday will face the winner of the matchup between Minnesota and Green Bay. The winner of Sunday’s game will advance to the Regional finals at Sacramento next week.
Denim DeShields added 11 points and four assists for the No. 5-seed Rebels (24-11), who were ranked 19th in the most recent AP poll and are playing in their fifth straight NCAA Tournament.
Mississippi forward Cotie McMahon, right, drives toward the basket as Gonzaga guard Ines Bettencourt defends during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. Credit: AP Photo/Matt KrohnAllie Turner led Gonzaga, champions of the West Coast Conference Tournament, with 27 points. Jaiden Haile had 11 points and eight rebounds and Lauren Whittaker added eight points and 13 rebounds.
After falling behind by as much as 13 in the first quarter, No. 12-seed Gonzaga (24-10) got a three-point play by Haile and a driving layup by Turner to cut the deficit to 25-19 midway through the second.
But Ole Miss responded with a 14-4 run that started with consecutive second-chance buckets by Lattimore in the low post. McMahon capped the run with a 3-pointer to send the Rebels into the locker room leading 39-23.
Mississippi guard Tianna Thompson, right, works around Gonzaga guard Allie Turner during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. Credit: AP Photo/Matt KrohnSmothering
Gonzaga didn’t get on the board until Haile made a layup with 5:06 left in the first quarter, cutting the Ole Miss lead to 8-2. The Bulldogs missed their first seven field goal attempts and three of their first four shots were blocked. They finished the quarter 4 for 14 from the field and committed seven turnovers, including two shot clock violations forced by the Rebels’ swarming defense.
In the trees
Gonzaga’s offensive struggles were due in large part to Mississippi’s lopsided size advantage. The Rebels had four starters and six rotation players standing 6-foot-1 or taller, compared to just three for Gonzaga.
Never say die
The Bulldogs trailed 70–37 early in the fourth quarter but they closed out the game strong. Teryn Gardner hit three 3-pointers, while Turner added eight free throws and a three as Gonzaga cut the deficit to 10 points with 47 seconds left before Ole Miss closed it out.
Gonzaga guard Allie Turner, right, works around Mississippi guard Denim Deshields during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. Credit: AP Photo/Matt Krohn___
AP March Madness bracket: apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: apnews.com/hub/march-madness
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