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Dre Davis returns, helps No. 23 Ole Miss top Texas to snap three-game skid

11by:Jake Thompson•01/29/25•

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NCAA Basketball: Texas at Mississippi
Jan 29, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Dre Davis (14) dunks during the second half against the Texas Longhorns at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

For everything that went wrong in the closing minutes of the loss against Texas A&M last week the Ole Miss men’s basketball team managed to do them right on Wednesday.

Needing to find a way to close out the game in what Rebels head coach Chris Beard calls “winning time,” No. 23-ranked Ole Miss came through to defeat Texas 72-69 to snap a three-game losing streak in Southeastern Conference play.

Dre Davis returned after missing the game at Missouri to provide key minutes for the Rebels (16-5, 5-3 SEC) and Davon Barnes hit six all-important free throws in the final nine minutes, including two with eight seconds left to seal the win over the Longhorns (14-7, 3-5).

“Our team really needed a win tonight,” Beard said postgame. “If you think about an overtime loss where we had a chance to in, a home game that we really let slip away and then the other day at Missouri it’s a two-possession game with about eight minutes left. Our players continue to put us in positions where we have chances to win these games. So, tonight, above all I’m just really happy for them.”

Another slow start plagued the Rebels early, missing their first six shots and trailing Texas 11-2 after the first five minutes. Things settled down from there with Ole Miss outscoring the Longhorns 70-58 the final 35 minutes.

Texas’ last lead was at the 13 minute mark when they were up by three, from there the Rebels managed to snag the lead and hold onto it this week after allowing the Aggies to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat a week ago.

Sean Pedulla lead Ole Miss with 19 points followed by Jaemyn Brakefield‘s 18 points. Davis finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 33 minutes of action in his return to the court.

“I mean, he’s banged up and not even having a chance to practice and go through his normal routines and stuff,” Beard said of Davis. “For him to have the courage to not only play but make up his mind he’s going to play well. …Today, Dre Davis, just upmost respect. Just countless hours in the training room. Just basically around the clock.”

Defensively, Ole Miss returned to its earlier form with causing Texas to commit 11 turnovers and then scoring 14 points off them.

Rebounding continues to be an issue, and probably is going to be for the rest of the season. The Longhorns won the battle on the boards, 42-33. They also pulled down 14 offensive rebounds to the Rebels eight.

For Barnes it was a chance at redemption after missing the critical free throws last week in the loss to Texas A&M. Hitting those six in the final nine minutes proved to be the difference in Ole Miss getting back in the win column or not on Wednesday.

“You get up there in those moments and you want to make the free throw, and no s***. Every body does,” Beard said. “It’s have you paid the price to make the free throw and do you have the calmness and the discipline to go through the routine, get your breaths right and all that. Barnes definitely pays the price”

Ole Miss now turns its attention to welcoming No. 1 Auburn which comes to Oxford on Saturday at 1 p.m. CT.

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