Rebels notch 81-71 victory at Vandy in SEC opener

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Ole Miss men’s basketball team (11-2) traveled to Nashville Saturday evening and notched a huge victory over Vanderbilt, 81-71, earning the Rebels’ 8th-straight win and and first in league play.

(Click here for box score.)

Breein Tyree led the Rebels with 31 points in his 36 minutes played. (Photo: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics)

Beyond the fact that Ole Miss has, so far, been able to defy the preseason media polls—which had the Rebels finishing last in the league—head coach Kermit Davis’ team won an all-important conference road game.

While it is only the first game in a very lengthy 18-game league schedule, the fact remains that winning on the road in the SEC is no easy task. 

When it comes time to consider postseason play, the victory could prove to be quite important when looking at the Rebels’ overall body of work.

The win over the Commodores (9-4) in Nashville can be defined by two things that will almost always result in a positive outcome: explosive offense and lockdown defense. 

Junior Breein Tyree, who is averaging just over 17 points per game, exploded against the Commodores as he tallied an incredible 31 points on 11 for 16 shooting from the floor. In his 36 minutes on the court for Coach Davis, Tyree brought a noticeable level of energy that propelled his team. 

Senior Terence Davis finished with 11 points. (Photo: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss Athletics)

Standout senior Terence Davis, who missed the final 10 minutes of the first half due to foul trouble, helped push the Rebels to victory late in the contest as he added 11 points in the final half of play. 

Two other Rebels finished with 11 points apiece, as well: Devontae Shuler, who also added 6 assists on the night, along with Blake Hinson who continues to have a solid freshman campaign. 

Vandy was led by Simisola Shittu, who had 21 points and 9 rebounds.

Ole Miss’ 1-3-1 defense stepped up late in the first half to hold the Commodores to a lowly 41%. Vanderbilt had a rough night from the charity stripe, shooting a mere 59% as they went 17 for 29. 

Tip-Ins

(Tip-ins are courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics.)

• Ole Miss won its eighth straight game, marking the longest winning streak since the 2012-13 season that resulted in an SEC Tournament title (9 consecutive wins).
• Breein Tyree scored a career-high 31 points, the most points by a Rebel and the most points by a Vanderbilt opponent this season.
• Tyree recorded his seventh 20-point game in the last 10 contests.
• Tyree made a career-high 11 field goals, hitting his first six shots of the game and recording 17 first half points.
• The Rebels beat Vanderbilt in Memorial Gymnasium for the fourth straight time, three of those being double-digit victories.
• Ole Miss has won seven of the last nine meetings in the series.
• Kermit Davis became the third coach in school history to win 11 of his first 13 games as Ole Miss head coach, joining Homer Hazel (1926-30) and Andy Kennedy (2007-18).

Next Up:

The Rebels return home Wednesday evening to what will surely be a raucous crowd in The Pavilion as they host the No. 12 Auburn Tigers in a huge home game. 

The Tigers currently sit at (11-2) on the season. The game will tip off at 6:00 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on ESPN2.

Click here for the current SEC Men’s Basketball Standings.