Rebels lose overtime heartbreaker to Mississippi State, 69-61
OXFORD – The Ole Miss men’s basketball team (10-17, 2-12 SEC) let a split in the season series with Mississippi State slip away Saturday afternoon in a 69-61 overtime loss at the SJB Pavilion in Oxford.
The loss continues the winless season at home for the Rebels in SEC play. It also marked the first time that a Rebel team has been swept by the Bulldogs since the 2010-11 season.
Mississippi State got off to a fast start in the first half, building a 10-point lead within the first five minutes of the game. However, two 7-0 runs and 11 first-half points from guard Matthew Murrell allowed the Rebels to take a 33-32 lead into halftime.
Overall, the Bulldogs shot a whopping 62% in the first half to the Rebels’ 39% from the floor. However, 11 turnovers by Mississippi State leading to 13 points from the Rebels was the difference maker in the first frame.
In the second half, both offenses went cold, but Ole Miss had its fair share of opportunities to pull away. From the 16:24 mark to the 6:30 mark of the second half, the Bulldogs went without a made field goal. At the beginning of the stretch, the Bulldogs had a three-point lead (40-37). The layup that ended the cold spell put the Bulldogs back up by one (48-47).
During that span, the Rebels were only able to convert on three field goals their own. While they did take the lead during the stretch, that lead was three points at its largest.
The offensive cold spells continued throughout the rest of the second half, but the Rebels took a two-point lead on a Myles Burns layup, 56-54, which also created a two-for-one opportunity. The Bulldogs would tie the game on the ensuing possession, but a slipping-Matthew Murrell airballed a shot at the buzzer to take the game into overtime ties at 56.
In overtime, the offensive woes for the Bulldogs ended, as they shot an even 4-4 from the field. Meanwhile, the Rebels’ woes continued, shooting 1-7.
Overall, the Bulldogs shot 46% from the field versus 32% from the Rebels. The Rebels were also outrebounded, 46-32.
Rebel head coach Kermit Davis said that this loss was going to sting for a bit.
“We had all the chances in the world to finish it out. Tough loss for us. Our guys are hurting, and I hated it for our players.”
Ole Miss head coach Kermit Davis
The Rebel defense played well including tallying 13 steals and forcing 19 turnovers. Myles Burns had seven steals by himself. Davis said that games should not be lost when teams have that many steals, but it was the offense that lost them the game.
“How many times do you get 13 steals and lose the game?” Davis said. “But we are 20-62 [from the field]. I thought we had some point blank looks that we couldn’t finish.”
The Rebels were led on the offensive end by forward Jaemyn Brakefield, who scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Matthew Murrell was the other Rebel in double-figures with 15 points. He also dished out six assists.
Up Next
Davis’ Rebel team will be back in action this Wednesday, February 22, on the road against the Auburn Tigers. Tipoff from Neville Arena in Auburn, Alabama, is set for 8 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
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!
