The Ole Miss men’s basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak on Saturday afternoon, beating Southern Miss 71-67 in a neutral-site matchup at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi.
Ole Miss (6-4) took a 13-11 lead over Southern Miss (6-5) with 11 minutes left to play in the first half and never let go. Although it was close throughout – the halftime score being 31-29 in favor of the Rebels – Chris Beard’s group forced the Golden Eagles into early foul trouble and used occasional runs to find the much-needed victory.
“These guys understood that if we want to have the season we want to have, we needed a win today,” Beard said afterward. “We knew this Southern Miss team was strong. Jay Ladner is a great coach and wherever he’s been, he’s won. They had our full respect, and we know that we beat a really good basketball team.”
Ole Miss was paced by AJ Storr, who scored 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Patton Pinkins added 12 points, and Malik Dia had 11 points. Kezza Giffa’s 13 points powered a bench surge that included 29 points from reserves.
Despite shooting 29% from beyond the arc, Ole Miss finished 49% from the field. On defense, the Rebels notched 10 steals and four blocks – a category they rank No. 12 in the nation in.
Southern Miss shot 46% from the field, including a 25% mark from three-point range. The Golden Eagles were led by Isaac Taveras’ 20 points and Tylik Weeks’ 18 points.
Ladner gave props to his team for competing with an Ole Miss program that made it to the Sweet 16 a season ago before discussing Southern Miss’ intentional scheduling of tough nonconference opponents. Losses this season include Miami and South Carolina.
“We play a very difficult, by-design nonconference schedule. Some coaches decide they want to go after wins while we want to prepare for league play,” he said, noting that Sun Belt play begins next Thursday against Louisiana.
As for Ole Miss, the Rebels now have 21-6 all-time series lead over Southern Miss. Beard and company will be back in action against Alabama A&M on Wednesday.