Stout Defense Boosts No. 15 Men’s Basketball Past Southern Miss in Biloxi
BILOXI, Miss. – (Release) Defense was the name of the game for No. 19/15 Ole Miss (9-1) as the Rebels held Southern Miss (4-6) to under 50 points in a 77-46, victory Saturday afternoon on the Magnolia State coast. The 46 points surrendered is the fewest Ole Miss has allowed since giving up 46 against Vanderbilt on March 6, 2021. The win gives head coach Chris Beard his 200th victory as a Division I head coach.
Ole Miss utilized pressure most of the first half operating out of a soft 2-2-1 press. The Rebel defense forced the Southern Miss offense late into the shot clock on numerous possessions, forcing tough looks most of the half. The Rebels led 16-8 with 11:40 to play in period one, holding Southern Miss to 3-of-11 from the field.
The lead was stretched to as many as 14 in the first half thanks to double figure scoring from the duo of Sean Pedulla and Jaylen Murray. Pedulla poured in five first half triples, leading all scorers with 15 points while Murray added 11 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting, including three buckets from long range.
Davon Barnes had a productive first half on the glass grabbing seven rebounds, good for the most he’s recorded in a first half this season.
Southern Miss chipped away over the final 3:59 of play cutting the lead to seven. The Golden Eagles held the Rebels nearly scoreless over the final four minutes of action before Jaylen Murray connected on a big three-pointer to close the half stretching the lead to 10 for Ole Miss as they entered the locker room.
Efficient shooting continued in the second half as Ole Miss shot 46.7 percent (14-for-30) over the final 20 minutes of action. Pedulla and Murray combined for 10 of the 13 Ole Miss three-pointers, with each adding one in the second half.
Balanced scoring helped the Rebels extend the lead as nine different Rebels scored a bucket in the second half led by Dre Davis and Barnes with six points each.
Defense turned to offense as Ole Miss forced 17 turnovers and generated 24 points of those takeaways. The Rebels came away with 12 steals giving them six games this season with 10 or more steals.
Ole Miss surrendered just 18 second half points, their fewest allowed in four years when they gave up 18 against UNC Wilmington on Dec. 12, 2020.
Barnes continued to be a presence on the glass pulling down a career-high 11 rebounds. The tandem of Pedulla and Murray led Ole Miss with four assists each.
The Rebels will return to action Tuesday, December 17, against Southern (5-4). Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network+.
NOTABLES
- Sean Pedulla led all scorers with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting from three. It marks seven games this season he’s scored in double-figures and his fourth game this season leading the team in scoring.
- Davon Barnes pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds including seven in the first half. Barnes now has three games this season grabbing five or more boards.
- The Rebels shot 40.6 percent (13-for-32) from downtown. Ole Miss now has 10 or more three in four games this season.
- The Rebels forced 17 TO’s and held a 24-7 advantage in points off turnovers.
- Ole Miss committed only nine turnovers and improves to 9-1 on the season (27-11 all-time under Beard) when committing 15 or fewer turnovers.
- With the win, head coach Chris Beard picked up his 200th career victory as a Division I head coach. Beard holds a 200-86 (.699 pct. / 10 seasons) as a Division I head coach.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
