COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ole Miss women’s basketball coach Matt Insell took a bit of comfort in his team’s latest loss to No. 5 South Carolina — that he’ll never have to face senior powerhouse Alaina Coates again.
Coates had 15 points and 15 rebounds — her 54th career double-double and fifth in as many games against the Rebels — to lead the Gamecocks to a 65-46 victory Thursday night at the Colonial Life Arena.
South Carolina (16-1, 6-0) remained perfect in Southeastern Conference play ahead of its game against undefeated and No. 4 Mississippi State on Monday.
Insell said he told Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley he is glad Coates’ college career will soon be over.
“Four years of just misery having to prepare to play her,” he said with a smile.
Coates has averaged 15 points and 13 rebounds in five games against the Rebels (13-6, 2-4). In this one, she received a boost from the return of her post partner in 6-foot-5 preseason All-America forward A’ja Wilson, who missed the previous two games with a sprained ankle.
Insell thinks the 6-4 Coates gets overlooked nationally.
“At the end of the day, I want success, we all want success,” Coates said. “Whether I’m recognized or not, I’m just going to do what I do and continue this successful streak we’ve been on.”
Coates and Wilson fueled a 13-3 closing run in the second quarter as the Gamecocks took control.
Staley said Wilson was itching to return since she injured herself at Florida on Jan. 8 and did as much as she could to rehab strongly and get back on the court. Wilson finished with six points and four rebounds in 15 minutes, a performance Staley thought primed her for the game against Mississippi State.
“She looked like she missed playing the game,” Staley said.
Coates scored six points and Wilson four during the spurt to help South Carolina open a 37-22 lead at halftime.
Ole Miss never got within single digits the rest of the way in losing its ninth straight to the Gamecocks.
Taylor Manuel led the Rebels with 13 points, all in the final two quarters.
Kaela Davis had 14 points and Allisha Gray 11 for South Carolina.
Ole Miss had nine turnovers in the first half, more than halfway to its average of 16 per game. The Rebels finished with 18.
Taylor Manuel had 13 points in the second half and was Ole Miss’ presence in the paint throughout the game. Shandricka Sessom added 11 points for Ole Miss – her third-straight game in double figures, and 15th of the season. Sessom also lead the way with seven rebounds. Ole Miss shot 36 percent (19 of 52) from the field and 6 of 14 from the free-throw line.
Ole Miss will play host to Alabama at 2 p.m. Sunday (SEC Network+) at The Pavilion at Ole Miss.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.