Ole Miss defeats Temple 77-76 on Flanigan’s last-second free throws

PHILADELPHIA – The Ole Miss men’s basketball team entered the City of Brotherly Love without cordiality on their minds, defeating Temple, 77-76, on the Owls’ North Philadelphia home court thanks to Allen Flanigan’s late free throws in a stat-stuffing 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists performance. 

Flanigan showed ability to create dribble drive penetration, create looks from the high post, draw fouls, and create for teammates as the Rebels lead for 38 of the game’s 40 minutes. 

The win didn’t come without challenges, as Temple came back from a 13-point deficit to cut the lead to two early in the second half, and remained within single digits for most of the game before taking a late 76-75 lead with thirty seconds left. 

Ole Miss head Coach Chris Beard

Ole Miss found success in dissecting the Temple zone by creating paint touches in the middle that led to some timely passes to set up easy baskets. The Rebels’ patient shot-making created their best offensive performance of the year as Ole Miss shot 50.8% overall on 30-for-59 shooting.

After the zone failed to stop Ole Miss, Temple resorted to the trap, which allowed for a few Rebel turnovers, and Temple came back to take a late one-point lead with 30 seconds left. 

After two possessions of almost-baskets and a free-for-all for the ball the announcers described as something akin to rugby, Flanigan drove to the basket to draw a foul that lead to the dagger free throws.

Exhale. pic.twitter.com/GWCTkja9W0

— Ole Miss Men’s Basketball (@OleMissMBB) November 22, 2023

Survive and advance. 5-0.

Flanigan isn’t the only person to contribute to the win. TJ Caldwell came off the bench to drop 14 points on 6/12 shooting, something that he says is a product of the work he put in this summer work.

Matthew Murrell had 12 points, JuJu Murray with 11, as Ole Miss had four scorers in double figures. 

While impressed with the fortitude and balanced scoring, Beard mentioned defense as a point of emphasis for improvement for future.

“We are still a work in progress,” Beard said. “I thought we stayed connected tonight,” and he then added, “Happy Thanksgiving.”  

Here’s what Coach Beard had to say immediately following the Rebels’ 77-76 win over Temple. #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/PjZMPJKXSD

— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) November 22, 2023

Ole Miss (5-0) will find out the strength of its connection as the Rebels take on N.C. State Tuesday in the SEC/ACC Challenge in their quest to stay unbeaten. 

(Feature image: Matt Barnthouse)

Matt Barnthouse

Matt Barnthouse has over seven years experience working at the youth, high school, and Division I levels of basketball, and currently is at University of Cincinnati as a graduate student and instructor, while doing consulting work, as well as freelance graphics for various Division I teams and players.

Barnthouse spent four years as a student-manager with the Ole Miss Men’s Basketball team, helping them to four winning seasons, as well as an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015.

While at Ole Miss, Barnthouse assisted in all parts of basketball operations, including recruiting, on-court drills, analytics, and film. Following his four-year stint with the Rebels, the redshirt junior declared for the 2017 NBA Draft, where he went undrafted.

After his Spring 2017 graduation from Ole Miss with a degree in Journalism, Barnthouse spent the summer as a basketball coach at Camp Androscoggin, one of the northeast’s oldest and most prestigious summer camps.

Barnthouse resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, and spends his free time watching film and playing with his Corgi, Brady.