Yolett McPhee-McCuin after Kentucky upset: 'I knew, at some point, we would be able to reap'

It’s been an inconsistent season at times for Ole Miss, but throughout the year they’ve also had a team capable of playing at the top of the SEC. Head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin and her team proved that on Monday night when they upset Kentucky.

Following the game, McPhee-McCuin shared that she had confidence in her team. In particular, she shared that she knew Ole Miss would be able to reap rewards for doing things the right way at some point in the game.

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning,” Yolett McPhee-McCuin said. “This was just a phenomenal win for Team 50. We had been sewing. We told you that, and I knew at some point we would be able to reap and I’m just grateful that I had a chance to lead this group. I think they got tired of losing close games, and the communication in the huddle was phenomenal.”

In recent games, Ole Miss has struggled despite strong efforts. Coming off a loss to a good Oklahoma team, Ole Miss went into the Kentucky game having gone 2-2 in its last four games. Those games this season against top-tier opponents, like Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, NC State, UConn, and USC have been the games that have given them trouble. In fact, in many ways, those games against AP Top 25 opponents are why Ole Miss itself isn’t currently ranked.

“I thought our game plan was superb, and I thought their execution of it was even better,” McPhee-McCuin said.

Going into halftime against Kentucky, Ole Miss looked like it was going to have a similar issue against a top-ranked opponent. Trailing 37-31, it took a superb defensive effort in the second half to come from behind and win. In the process, they held the Wildcats to just 20 total points in the second half. That defensive effort also saw Ole Miss win the turnover battle by four turnovers while snagging 27 offensive rebounds to just four offensive rebounds made by Kentucky.

There was another key to the game. Ole Miss shot 21 free throws compared to just four shots by Kentucky. So, getting to the free throw line helped give Ole Miss every opportunity to overcome Kentucky.

With the win, Ole Miss moved to 7-4 in SEC play this season. That’s tied with Alabama for fifth in the current conference standings.

From here, Yolett McPhee-McCuin is hoping to keep the good times rolling at Ole Miss. Next up, Ole Miss hits the road for a game against Arkansas. However, three of the final four games this season for Ole Miss come against ranked opponents, so it won’t be easy to close out the regular season on a high note.