BATON ROUGE – After a hiccup on the road the last time out, Kim Mulkey and LSU women's basketbal l look to bounce back and close out the regular season on the right note this weekend.
No. 7 LSU (27-3, 12-3 SEC) welcomes Ole Miss (18-9, 9-6) inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Sunday (3 p.m., SEC Network). The Tigers tripped up at No. 20 Alabama, losing 88-85 in overtime in their last game.
Ole Miss lost to No. 6 South Carolina, 75-59, at home Thursday.
Here's what to know about the LSU-Ole Miss matchup.
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There was some turnover from last season's Rebels team but with Madison Scott and Kennedy Todd-Williams back to carry the banner, Ole Miss was expected to compete for a double bye in the SEC Tournament this season for the second straight year.
While things haven't gone according to plan in the win-loss column for coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, the main thing is still the main thing going against her system. Defense still leads the way for Ole Miss, which ranks second in the Southeastern Conference in scoring defense, allowing 56.6 points per game.
Only two SEC teams have scored at least 80 points against the Rebels. Their length and athleticism forces teams to have precision when passing and efficiency with shot selection. The Rebs sport a +7.85 turnover margin.
LSU will need to share the basketball and work the ball around to get open looks.
After LSU's loss at Alabama Thursday, LSU star junior guard Flau'jae Johnson took to her social media to apologize to the LSU fan base, saying she's "playing her worst basketball" right now.
LSU's leading scorer managed just six points against the Crimson Tide, the first time all season she failed to score double digits.
Teams that have found success against Ole Miss' stingy defense have been teams that can hit outside shots. If Johnson can catch fire again along with LSU sophomore sensation Mikaylah Williams, who has been shooting the lights out the last several weeks, the Tigers will find themselves in a good spot.
Scott is one of the better overall forwards in the SEC but she's not known for her rebounding prowess. Scott manages 5.2 rebounds per game but has plenty of game on the offensive end.
LSU has the advantage inside with senior star forward Aneesah Morrow as well as Sa'Myah Smith and LSU will need to use that to kickstart its offense.
Morrow fell one rebound shy of her 100th career double-double at Alabama on Thursday and one could imagine she'll be ready to attack the boards.
LSU 71, Ole Miss 63:The Tigers respond from the Alabama loss to win comfortably over Ole Miss. Morrow dominates on the glass as LSU make enough plays to down the Rebels.
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Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU women's basketball v Ole Miss prediction for LSU, coach Kim Mulkey
