ATHENS, Ga. — The Ole Miss women’s basketball team (10-13, 2-8 Southeastern Conference) got as close as 11 points in the fourth quarter but couldn’t overcome Georgia’s 26-point third quarter as they dropped a 70-56 contest to Georgia on Super Bowl Sunday. Madinah Muhammad led the Ole Miss offense with 15 points while A’Queen Hayes added 10 rebounds.

Ole Miss was helped by reserves Jonell Williams, who hasn’t played in the last six games but came in and tallied eight points and seven rebounds, and Cecilia Muhate Pena added five points and five rebounds in the loss.

After Georgia’s 26-point third quarter, Ole Miss battled to get back in and got as close as 11 points in the final 2:50 but the home team weathered the Rebel rally and picked up the victory.

The lead continued to go back –and-forth between the two teams but Ole Miss’ three-point shooting was the difference highlighted by Muhammad nailed four treys for her eighth game of multiple three-pointers this season and a new career high from long range. Georgia used a 26-point third quarter and held Ole Miss to just 14 in the third frame to take a 56-44 lead heading into the third and final quarter of action.

The game shaped up to be a game of runs, as the Lady Bulldogs opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run to 9-3 to take a 23-20 lead at the media timeout, but freshman Madinah Muhammad shifted the momentum midway through with a half with a triple from the top of the key as the Rebels went into halftime tied 30-30 but with momentum.