In a thrilling sequence of collegiate women's basketball contests, several top-ranked teams emerged victorious from hard-fought battles. The No. 25 North Carolina Tar Heels clinched a nail-biting win against NC State, extending their impressive run. Similarly, the No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks demonstrated their prowess by overcoming Texas A&M, largely due to an outstanding individual effort. Not to be outdone, the No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels delivered a dominant performance against Auburn, highlighting their consistent strength in the league.
The North Carolina Tar Heels, ranked 25th, faced a formidable challenge from NC State. Despite holding a significant 10-point advantage with just four minutes remaining in the game, the Tar Heels found themselves in a precarious position as NC State mounted a late comeback. A crucial layup from Tilda Trygger for the Wolfpack narrowed the gap to a mere two points in the dying seconds. A subsequent turnover by North Carolina offered NC State a final opportunity to snatch victory, but Zamareya Jones' three-point attempt fell short. Indya Nivar of North Carolina secured the rebound with only 1.6 seconds left, and although she missed both free throws, her rebound of the second attempt effectively ran down the clock, securing a narrow 61-59 win. Lanie Grant led the Tar Heels with 18 points, while Nivar contributed 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, marking their fifth consecutive triumph and improving their Atlantic Coast Conference record to 7-3. Khamil Pierre was a standout for NC State, recording 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Elsewhere, the No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks showcased their championship caliber against Texas A&M, securing a 71-56 victory. The game remained competitive until the fourth quarter when Joyce Edwards ignited a decisive 9-0 run, scoring eight of those points herself. With just under six minutes left, South Carolina held a slim 58-53 lead, but Edwards' timely jumper, free throws, and a layup quickly extended their advantage. Tessa Johnson added 19 points, and Edwards rounded out her stellar performance with a season-high 11 rebounds. South Carolina's win extended their streak to three games, bringing their SEC record to 8-1. Despite the loss, Ny'Ceara Pryor and Fatmata Janneh contributed 14 and 12 points, respectively, for Texas A&M, who endured their sixth consecutive defeat.
Finally, the No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels delivered a commanding performance against Auburn, achieving a 71-45 victory in a game played at a neutral venue in Birmingham, Alabama, due to regional winter weather. Cotie McMahon was instrumental for Ole Miss, scoring 20 points and grabbing seven rebounds in just 23 minutes of play. Sira Thienou also made significant contributions with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Christeen Iwuala added 12 points and 11 boards. The Rebels established an early lead, outscoring Auburn 22-10 in the first quarter, and maintained their dominance throughout the game, improving their Southeastern Conference record to 6-2. Auburn struggled offensively, shooting only 32.1% from the field and suffering their fourth straight loss, with Harissoum Coulibaly being their sole player to reach double digits in scoring with 11 points.
These recent games underscore the competitive spirit and talent within women's college basketball. From the thrilling last-second heroics of North Carolina to the decisive runs by South Carolina and the dominant showing from Ole Miss, each contest provided memorable moments. These teams continue to vie for top positions in their respective conferences, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the season as they push towards postseason aspirations.