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MINNEAPOLIS — Upon hearing Sira Thienou’s name at the podium, Ole Miss women’s basketball coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin broke out into a smile.
As she listened to a reporter read some of Thienou’s stats, McPhee-McCuin lifted her chin and raised her arms in elation.
“Oh, my gosh, 12 points, eight rebounds, three steals, four blocks after a month off? … I'm a happy camper,” she said.
The Rebels’ starting sophomore guard hadn’t played since Feb. 17 when she suffered a bone bruise.
She returned for Ole Miss (24-11) in its 81-66 first-round Women's NCAA Tournament win over Gonzaga (24-10) at Williams Arena.
“It was good,” Thienou said of her return. “I was excited and it felt really good to be back on the court with my teammates and having fun and do what I love.”
After missing the last four games of the regular season and the Rebels’ three SEC Tournament games, Thienou re-entered the Rebels lineup without missing a beat, though sporting a brace on her left knee. She credited her coaches and teammates for easing her transition back to the court after the time off.
“The team behind us, the coach, my teammates, they were wishing me (well) the time that I was out, just trying to make sure that I'm good,” Thienou said. “They did everything possible to make me ready.”
Despite playing just 20 minutes – partly due to Ole Miss leading by 32 points entering the fourth quarter – her impact on both ends of the floor contributed heavily to the Rebels’ win.
Thienou was one of four Ole Miss players to score in double-figures in the win. Her eight rebounds tied her with Christeen Iwuala for the team lead. Her four blocks were a career-high, and her three steals led the team.
“She just means a lot to us, and I think her sitting out and having a chance to watch the game has really helped her, and we're going to need her, so grateful to have her back,” McPhee-McCuin said.
After losing to Florida on Feb. 26, McPhee-McCuin said that Thienou’s absence decreased the effectiveness of Ole Miss’ defense.
With her back on the floor, Ole Miss stumped Gonzaga’s offense, including WCC Freshman and Player of the year Lauren Whittaker, who was held to eight points on 4-for-21 shooting from the field.
Whittaker and Gonzaga coach Lisa Fortier cited the Rebels’ size and physicality as a difference, but the 6-foot-1 Thienou noted that’s just what it means to play Ole Miss basketball.
“I think we just played our way,” she said. “We didn't change anything. We just came out and dictated and disrupted.”
The Rebels will play No. 4 seed Minnesota in the second round on March 22.
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X @tiareid65.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Sira Thienou returns from injury, leads Ole Miss to March Madness win
Continue reading...
As she listened to a reporter read some of Thienou’s stats, McPhee-McCuin lifted her chin and raised her arms in elation.
“Oh, my gosh, 12 points, eight rebounds, three steals, four blocks after a month off? … I'm a happy camper,” she said.
The Rebels’ starting sophomore guard hadn’t played since Feb. 17 when she suffered a bone bruise.
She returned for Ole Miss (24-11) in its 81-66 first-round Women's NCAA Tournament win over Gonzaga (24-10) at Williams Arena.
“It was good,” Thienou said of her return. “I was excited and it felt really good to be back on the court with my teammates and having fun and do what I love.”
After missing the last four games of the regular season and the Rebels’ three SEC Tournament games, Thienou re-entered the Rebels lineup without missing a beat, though sporting a brace on her left knee. She credited her coaches and teammates for easing her transition back to the court after the time off.
“The team behind us, the coach, my teammates, they were wishing me (well) the time that I was out, just trying to make sure that I'm good,” Thienou said. “They did everything possible to make me ready.”
Despite playing just 20 minutes – partly due to Ole Miss leading by 32 points entering the fourth quarter – her impact on both ends of the floor contributed heavily to the Rebels’ win.
Thienou was one of four Ole Miss players to score in double-figures in the win. Her eight rebounds tied her with Christeen Iwuala for the team lead. Her four blocks were a career-high, and her three steals led the team.
“She just means a lot to us, and I think her sitting out and having a chance to watch the game has really helped her, and we're going to need her, so grateful to have her back,” McPhee-McCuin said.
After losing to Florida on Feb. 26, McPhee-McCuin said that Thienou’s absence decreased the effectiveness of Ole Miss’ defense.
With her back on the floor, Ole Miss stumped Gonzaga’s offense, including WCC Freshman and Player of the year Lauren Whittaker, who was held to eight points on 4-for-21 shooting from the field.
Whittaker and Gonzaga coach Lisa Fortier cited the Rebels’ size and physicality as a difference, but the 6-foot-1 Thienou noted that’s just what it means to play Ole Miss basketball.
“I think we just played our way,” she said. “We didn't change anything. We just came out and dictated and disrupted.”
The Rebels will play No. 4 seed Minnesota in the second round on March 22.
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X @tiareid65.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Sira Thienou returns from injury, leads Ole Miss to March Madness win
Continue reading...
