OXFORD, Miss.---McNeese women's basketball came out on fire here Saturday to lead Ole Miss 21-14 after the first quarter but the Rebels outscored the Cowgirls in the final three quarters in a 79-60 win here in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.
 
McNeese (3-7) trailed by 10 points (59-49) following back to back baskets by Paris Mullins to start the fourth quarter.  McNeese then turned the ball over on its next four possessions and the Rebels capitalized on those to take a 21 point (72-51) lead with 4:10 to play.
 
Suzanna Kulinska led McNeese with a season high 16 points on 7 of 12 from the field and two free throws.  It's the third straight double figure scoring game for Kulinska.  Stephanie Guihon scored in double figures for the second straight game, chipping in with 10 points. Desirae Hansen led McNeese with four rebounds.
 
Ole Miss (10-2) had a trio of players score in double figures with Madison Scott leading all players with 18 points.  Marquesha Davis and Snudda Collins both ended the game with 14 apiece.
 
McNeese will travel to Texas Tech on Monday, Dec. 19 for its final game before the Christmas break.
 
 
FIRST QUARTER
McNeese came out on fire in the first quarter to take a lead 21-14 including an 11-0 run.  McNeese made 9 of 13 shots and shot 69.2 percent from the field.  Zuzanna Kulinska scored six of her 16 points in the quarter.
 
SECOND QUARTER
Ole Miss outscored McNeese 20-4 in the quarter to lead 34-25 at the half.  McNeese's shooting went cold as the Cowgirls managed to make one field goal in 14 attempts with its other two points coming from the free throw line.
 
THIRD QUARTER
McNeese got as close at 11 points twice in the quarter but Ole Miss held a 59-45 lead at the end of the quarter.  McNeese shot 53.3 percent from the field but Ole Miss shot 72.7 percent from the field with most of its points coming in the paint.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
Cowgirls cut the lead to 10 points (59-49) on four straight points by Paris Mullins with 7:12 left to play.  Three straight Cowgirl turnovers within 20 second turned in to Ole Miss baskets that gave them a 65-49 lead with 5:36 left in the game.  Ole Miss went up by 21 points (70-49) with 4:59 to play and the Cowgirls couldn't get any closer.
 
GAME NOTES
• McNeese held a 21-14 first quarter lead, its largest lead of the game
• Zuzanna Kulinska scored in double figures for the third straight game. She led McNeese in scoring with a season high 16 points.
• Stephanie Guihon scored in double figures for the second straight game, ending with 10 points.
• Ole Miss outrebounded McNeese 43-25 including a 13-5 offensive rebound margin
• Ole Miss scored 30 points in the paint and the Cowgirls scored 22 in the paint
• McNeese will travel to Texas Tech on Monday, Dec. 19 for a 7 p.m. game