Without Ruffin and Murrell, Rebels drop fourth-straight game in 75-66 loss to Kentucky
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss men’s basketball team dropped its fourth-straight game Tuesday night in a 75-66 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats at the SJB Pavilion.
The Rebels now sit four games below .500 and 1-8 in conference play. The loss was also the Rebels’ sixth straight loss at home dating back to late December.
The Rebels were once again without star guard Matthew Murrell, who is still recovering from an MCL sprain. This was also the second game without Daeshun Ruffin, but it will not be the last, as the program announced that he will be stepping away from the team indefinitely to improve his mental and physical health.
The leading scorer for the Rebels was guard Amaree Abram, who finished with 17 points on seven made baskets. The other two Rebels in double-digits were guard TJ Caldwell with 12 points and forward Jayveous McKinnins with 10 points.
Head coach Kermit Davis said that the game was lost at the free throw line.
“The game was the free-throw line. They shot 23, we shot 10, and they outscored us by 11. We get beat by nine, so it really was the free-throw line.”
Head coach Kermit Davis
The Rebels kept the game fairly within reach for most of the first half, eventually tying the game heading into the halftime break. This continued into the second half, but Davis said that a specific four-minute stretch during the second half allowed the Wildcats to run away with the game.
“There was about a four-minute stretch where Reeves [Kentucky guard] made shots. Give Kentucky credit. They played well. We just didn’t shot-make for that period of time.”
Coach Kermit Davis
Kentucky guard Antonio Reeves came off the bench to score 27 points, including shooting 6-7 from the three-point line. He had all of Kentucky’s three-point makes for the game.
The Kentucky lead from the 15-minute mark to the 11-minute mark grew from six points to seven, but the lead exploded to 13 by the seven-minute mark. Kentucky’s largest lead of the game was 14 points.
Davis mentioned how much they missed guard Matthew Murrell in this game. He is hopeful that he can play in the Rebels’ next game on Saturday.
“He plays through aches and bruises, and Matt is doing everything he can do,” Davis said. “I would think, unless something happens, that it would be a great chance that Matt will play against Vanderbilt.”
Davis also commented on the situation with Daeshun Ruffin.
“We love Daeshun and his family,. We are going to give him great support during this time until he joins Ole Miss basketball. He is still a part of it. He loves Ole Miss. He is going through some tough times.”
Coach Davis on Daeshun Ruffin
Up Next
The Rebels (9-13, 1-8 SEC) will look to get their season back on track starting this Saturday, February 4th, on the road against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Tipoff in Nashville is set for 12 p.m. on the SEC Network.
(Feature image credit: Ole Miss Men’s Basketball)
Trevor Terminie
Trevor is a senior at Ole Miss pursuing a degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Sports Communication and Promotion. He has previous experience covering sports for another site, including a variety of Ole Miss sports. Growing up in New Orleans, La., he has the Pelicans and Saints running through his blood. He also grew up in an LSU family, but his love for Ole Miss continues to grow. Trevor hopes to cover sports back in his hometown after college. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
