Ole Miss Basketball: Rebels rally for overtime OOC win over BYU that could help in March
No. 23 Ole Miss basketball needed a rally and overtime, but the Rebels ultimately pulled off their best win of the still-young season Thursday evening.
The Rebels celebrated Thanksgiving by taking on fellow-unbeaten BYU in the first round of the Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego. The Cougars, a 3.5-point favorite, entered play on the cusp of the Top 25.
BYU was ranked No. 26 in both the AP and Coaches Polls. The Cougars won 23 games last season and reached the NCAA Tournament.
Ole Miss a year ago won 20 games for the first time since 2018-19. However, the Rebels again missed the NCAA Tournament, extending a five-year drought. They’ve been just nine times in their 100-plus-year history.
These Rebels, though, are mostly new and veteran-laden. They feature 10 seniors and a handful of legitimate next-level prospects. The NCAA Tournament is the expectation, and few wins boost postseason resumes quite like those on a neutral site and against a quality out-of-conference opponent.
Check and check.
“It’s a big-time event in San Diego,” second-year Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard said this week. “Obviously the competition speaks for itself.”
JUJU‼️#HottyToddy x #Culture pic.twitter.com/f9VCI0Name
— Ole Miss Men’s Basketball (@OleMissMBB) November 29, 2024
Ole Miss fell behind by as much as 10 points in the first half.
However, the Rebels outscored the Cougars 18-11 in the first period to pull within three, 42-39, at halftime.
Ole Miss bested BYU, 38-35, in the second, led by 10 points from fifth-year senior guard Matthew Murrell. He was one of four Rebels to score double-digit points in the eventual 96-85 win.
Murrell and Dre Davis — an off-season transfer addition — had 18 apiece. Davis tied for the team lead in rebounds (6). Murrell and Davis combined to go 16 for 20 from the free-throw line.
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Jaylen ‘Juju’ Murray took over in overtime with nine points and lifted the Rebels to victory. He was a perfect 5 for 5 on free throws and finished with a career-high 28 points. Ole Miss ran away from BYU, 19-8, in the extra period.
The @RCISanDiego Championship 🔜 🏝️@BoilerBall vs @OleMissMBB, Nov 28 – 6pm ET on FOX pic.twitter.com/GmWxG6DFEO
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) November 29, 2024
Davis was part of an Ole Miss transfer class ranked No. 16 nationally by On3.
Sean Pedulla, from Virginia Tech, was brought in, too. He dropped 13 points (2-3 3s). Murray made 3 for 4 from 3. Jaemyn Brakefield is one of six returners. He tied for the team lead in rebounds (6). Three other Rebels grabbed five rebounds: Pedulla, Belmont transfer Malik Dia and Murray.
Ole Miss shot 48.4 percent (31-64) from the field. BYU made 40.6 percent (26-64). The Rebels dominated the paint, 40-26, and grabbed two more rebounds (39-37) than the Cougars.
Another statement opportunity awaits the Rebels Friday. Ole Miss takes on No. 12 Purdue in the tournament championship at 5 p.m. CT on FOX. The Boilermakers, No. 3 in the NET, advanced with a win over NC State. BYU was NET No. 12.
Ole Miss is riding the nation’s longest non-conference winning streak (19), which dates back to last season.
“This is why you come to Ole Miss. This is why you play in the SEC,” Beard said. “Any chance you get to play against projected NCAA Tournament teams … this is a big week for our team.”
