Ole Miss Rebels Triumph Over Mississippi State Bulldogs
In a thrilling matchup on Saturday night, the Ole Miss Rebels secured a narrow 68-67 victory over their rivals, the Mississippi State Bulldogs, marking their third consecutive win of the season. Ilias Kamardine and AJ Storr stood out for Ole Miss, each contributing 17 points to the scoreboard.
Key Moments of the Game
The game reached a pivotal moment with just 18.8 seconds remaining when Patton Pinkins confidently sank a jump shot, putting the Rebels ahead for the first time in the contest.
Malik Dia contributed to Ole Miss’s effort with eight points and a strong presence on the boards, pulling down 11 rebounds, despite his 3-of-10 shooting performance. The victory improved the Rebels’ record to 11-7 overall and 3-2 within the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Mississippi State’s Struggles
On the other hand, Mississippi State, now 10-8 and 2-3 in SEC play, faced their third consecutive defeat despite having led in all three games. Jayden Epps was the Bulldogs’ leading scorer with 14 points, although he struggled with his shooting, making only 4 of 18 attempts. Jamarion Davis-Fleming impressed with 13 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting.
Star player Josh Hubbard, who was averaging 22.8 points per game—ranked seventh in the country—also tallied 13 points but had an off night, completing just 3 of 16 field goals and missing crucial free throws down the stretch.
Closing Moments
In the closing moments of the game, Storr’s step-back jumper gave Ole Miss a brief four-point cushion, yet Hubbard swiftly responded with a deep three-pointer, followed by two successful free throws to edge Mississippi State ahead 67-66. However, Pinkins’s decisive floater secured the Rebels’ win amidst intense competition.
Rivalry and Future Matches
The rivalry between these two teams remains one of the most storied in college basketball, with Mississippi State now holding a slight edge in their all-time series with a record of 152-121 against Ole Miss. The teams demonstrated tenacity throughout the match, combining for a dismal 14.9% success rate from three-point range, which translated into a fierce battle underscored by 13 lead changes and seven ties in the second half.
Looking forward, Ole Miss will host Auburn on Tuesday, while Mississippi State will seek to break their losing streak against Texas A&M on Wednesday.
