UNIVERSITY RELEASE — Originally published by Ole Miss Athletics, Nov. 5, 2026.
Ole Miss trailed at halftime and still won by 21. North Alabama led 27-25 at the break on Thursday night at The SJB Pavilion, and then the Rebels won the third quarter 26-12, won the fourth 21-12, and turned 30 North Alabama turnovers into 33 points on the way to a 72-51 win and a 2-0 start.
Final Score
Ole Miss 72, North Alabama 51 — halftime 27-25 North Alabama
Quarters: North Alabama 14-13-12-12, Ole Miss 11-14-26-21
Who Did It
- Jada Richard — 17 points, five assists, four steals
- Jaida Civil — 15 points and six rebounds, the team high on the glass
- Doneelah Washington — 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting, four assists, three steals, two blocks
- Jade Tillman, Knisha Godfrey and Lauren Jacobs — six points each; Godfrey added five assists and went 3-of-3
How It Went
The first half belonged to nobody. There were six lead changes and three ties. North Alabama took the first quarter 14-11, Ole Miss answered with a 14-13 second, and the Lions carried a 27-25 lead into the locker room.
The third quarter settled it. Ole Miss scored 26 to North Alabama’s 12 and led 51-39 going into the fourth, then closed with another 21-12 quarter. Across the second half the margin was 47-24.
The number underneath that run is the turnover column. North Alabama gave the ball away 30 times against 12 for Ole Miss, and the Rebels converted those into 33 points while allowing 13 the other way. Fifteen steals fed it, with Richard taking four and Washington and Maya Anderson three each.
Ole Miss also lived inside: 48 points in the paint to 26, on 48.4 percent shooting overall. It needed to, because the night was cold from distance and at the line — 4-of-14 on threes and 8-of-17 on free throws — and North Alabama won the rebounding battle 36-29, with Emma Deste pulling 13 by herself.
Twenty-two assists on 30 made field goals is the other line worth keeping: four Rebels had four or more, and Richard and Godfrey had five apiece.
On the Other Side
Amy Kurkowski led North Alabama with 11 points, Deste had nine and 13 rebounds, and Venla Ulander added eight. The Lions shot 40.8 percent and went 5-of-15 from three.
What’s Next
The Rebels stay home for UAlbany on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 6 p.m. CT.
📄 Read the full university release: Women’s Basketball Tops North Alabama in Thursday Night Matchup → (OleMissSports.com)