Baylor women’s basketball saw its NCAA Tournament journey come to an end on Sunday, falling 69-63 to No. 5 seed Ole Miss in the second round at Foster Pavilion. Despite a valiant effort, the No. 4 seed Bears (28-8) couldn’t hold off the Rebels (22-10), who secured the win with clutch plays down the stretch.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams battling for control. Ole Miss took an early lead, but Baylor’s Aaronette Vonleh kept the Bears within striking distance, scoring 10 points by halftime. Baylor’s defense also made a statement in the second quarter, holding the Rebels to just six points.

The intensity continued into the second half, with the game knotted at 48-48 entering the fourth quarter. However, Ole Miss opened the final period with a 6-0 run and never relinquished the lead. Baylor fought back and tied the game at 61-61 with 1:05 remaining, but Madison Scott answered for the Rebels with a tough midrange jumper with 40 seconds to go. Six free throws by KK Deans in the closing seconds sealed the victory for Ole Miss.

Freshman Sira Thienou led Ole Miss with 16 points, while Scott added 14.

With the win, Ole Miss advances to the Sweet 16, where the Rebels will face the winner of No. 1 seed UCLA and No. 8 seed Richmond on Friday in Spokane, Washington.

For Baylor, the loss marks a disappointing end to an otherwise impressive season, as the Bears’ hopes of advancing deeper into the tournament came to a heartbreaking close on their home floor.