University of Mississippi’s Nigerian-born lass, Christeen Iwuala’s 12 points were not enough to save her side from defeat during their latest game in USA’s National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) women’s basketball league.
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Sports247 reports that Iwuala led The Rebels with 12 points and 10 rebounds, but her efforts were dwarfed by Joyce Edwards’ 21 points and 17 from Madina Okot of South Carolina, who stand third on the log.
While Iwuala and her teammates ambled in defeat, their conquerors clinched a share of the Southeastern Conference’s regular-season championship surge with an 85-48 victory over 17th placed Mississippi.
Sunday’s victory, which is their 21st straight conquest of Iwuala’s side, guarantees South Carolina top seed in next month’s SEC Tournament and The Gamecocks can win a fifth straight title by beating either Missouri or Kentucky in the final week.
The Gamecocks have not lost to Iwuala’s team since February 2009, but Ole Miss were hoping to bounce back after a disheartening home loss to LSU last time out, as they dropped a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter to fall 78-70.
Dramatically, Iwuala’s side were trailing 24-20 after she rolled in yet another basket early in the second quarter, as The Gamecocks closed on a 17-5 surge with a pair of 3-pointers by Okot, a 6-foot-6 signing from Mississippi State.
Okot added 10 rebounds for her 18th double-double this season, with four of her team’s 11 blocks and was also 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, as Iwuala’s side struggled to make shots past South Carolina’s defense.
A night of personal thrills ended in defeat for Iwuala, who in 2024/2025 became a major contributor during Ole Miss’ post-season runs, earning starts in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments, as she averaged 6.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
