Ole Miss Men’s Basketball Falls to Miami; Rebels Suffer Third Straight Loss this Season

OXFORD, Miss.– Ole Miss men’s basketball suffered its first loss on their home floor this season — and its third straight loss — as the Miami Hurricanes came into the SJB Pavilion Tuesday night and left with a 75-66 win over the Rebels.

First Half

Ole Miss started the game with possession but it was Miami that struck first as Shelton Henderson converted a layup on the Hurricanes first possession. Patton Pinkins put Ole Miss on the board with a three just two possessions later with his first points as a collegiate stater.

Heading into the first media timeout with 15:40 on the board, the Hurricanes and Rebels were knotted at 4 in a defensive battle early on.

After the timeout both teams found the bottom of the nylon before reverting to a turnover heavy game as through the first seven and a half minutes Miami forced three on Ole Miss, and the Rebels forced 7 on the Hurricanes.

A problem for Ole Miss early on was their inability to finish, mainly around the basket as through the same time stamp they were 2/2 from behind the three point line, being the only of their 10 attempts to fall. The remainder of Ole Miss 9 points at the time were 3 free throws.

Travis Perry finally recorded Ole Miss’ first basket inside the arc for with a mid range floater around the free throw line.

Ole Miss’s offensive struggles continued as poor shot slection and lack of conversion on open shots left them in a 18- 13 hole with 9:oo flashing on the clock. At that time Ole Miss was shooting 4/16 from the floor.

Miami really began pulling away, eventually ended the half with a 42-26 lead.

The Hurricanes ended the half shooting 14/30 from the field, 8/15 from behind the arc and 6/8 at the line, in comparison to the Rebels 8/31 from the field, 4/9 from behind the arc, and 6/8 from the charity stripe.

Miami also out rebounded Ole Miss 24-16, but Ole Miss forced 8 turnovers to Miami forcing 7.

Second Half

Ole Miss struggled early on in the second half, allowing Miami to continue to grow their lead.

However, the Rebels converted three consecutive shots finding the bottom of the net, putting them back in reach just 12 points behind with 16:27 remaining in the game.

Ole Miss quickly cut it to a nine point deficit following a timeout, as Koren Johnson drove the lane and converted an and one layup, finishing the three point play making the free throw.

However, Miami quickly reinstated a double digit lead playing great on both ends of the floor.

Ole Miss stayed relentless as they forced multiple Miami turnovers eventually cutting the Hurricane lead back to 10, including a charge drawn on the defensive end into a media timeout with 11:50 left on the clock.

The back and forth of cutting and gaining leads continue well under the five minute mark as neither side could get the decisive basket or stop.

Eventually with under a minute to play Miami gave themselves a 14 point lead, with the even play late in the half working in their favor.

Miami then held on to a – win as they knock Ole Miss to 5-3 on the year, while the Hurricanes advance to 7-2.

Notables:

Ole Miss finished the night shooting 34% from the field, 42% from three, and 81% from the free throw line.

In comparison Miami the night shooting 49% from the field, 42% from three, and 66% from the free throw line.

• Ole Miss was led by in scoring finishing the night with
• Miami severely out rebounded Ole Miss 45-29.
• Miami lost the turnover battle 19-11 yet their higher offensive production pushed them by Ole Miss.

A Look Ahead

Ole Miss returns to the floor on Saturday as the Rebels travel to New York to take on the No. 6 St. John’s Red Storm at 7 pm CT. Our Donna Sprabery and Matt Barnthouse will be at Madison Square Garden to cover the game.