Oklahoma State dominates Rebels in SEC-Big 12 Challenge, 82-60

The Ole Miss men’s basketball team’s struggles continued Saturday night in an 82-60 loss to Oklahoma State in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge in Stillwater, OK.

The loss was the Rebels’ third straight and the team’s ninth loss in its last 10 games. The loss also clinched the SEC-Big 12 Challenge for the Big 12. The Rebels now sit three games below .500 at 9-12.

Guard TJ Caldwell and forward Jaemyn Brakefield were the leading scorers for the Rebels with 12 points apiece. Guards Amaree Abram and Myles Burns both scored nine points. Overall, the Rebels shot 36% from the floor and 26% from three.

Two Rebels fouled out of the game. Forward Robert Allen fouled out with just about nine minutes to go, finishing with one point and one rebound. Forward Jayveous McKinnis found out just two minutes laters, finishing with six points and six rebounds.

Struggling to make shots was the theme once again for a Rebels team that has had a difficult time shooting from the field most of the season. Some of this can be attributed to Oklahoma State’s defense, which is one of the best in opponent shooting percentage in the Big 12. Some can also be attributed to the losses of Matthew Murrell, who is recovering from an MCL sprain, and Daeshun Ruffin, who did not make the trip with the team.

First-half action

The Rebels got off to a slow start in the first half, and they were never able to recover. One plus from the shooting in the first half for the Rebels was five made three-pointers, including two from guard TJ Caldwell. However, it became washed out as the Rebels were only able to make 10 baskets in total in the first half. 

The paint was dominated by the Cowboys in the first half, as they outscored the Rebels 20-6. They also outscored the Rebels in points off turnovers, 12-5, even though both teams had five turnovers. Much of this can be attributed to the 31% shooting percentage in the first half.

Second-half action

The Rebels opened the second half down 11, but they were never able to get the deficit past 10. They improved on their first half shooting percentage, shooting 39% from the field, and they went on a small 8-0 run midway through the second half, but the game was just about over at that point. Ole Miss was not able to make a three-point attempt in the second half.

By the numbers

Oklahoma State shot a staggering 53% from the field for the game, including 22-25 from the free throw line, outscoring the Rebels by 13 in that department. The Cowboys also won the rebounding battle (39-29), second chance scoring battle (12-9), and the battle in the paint (36-30).

The road to another victory will become even more difficult this Tuesday as the Rebels face the Kentucky Wildcats at the SJB Pavilion in Oxford. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT on ESPN.