In a nail-biting contest that showcased the resilience of both teams, Ole Miss fell short against LSU in a double-overtime thriller on Thursday night at SJB Pavilion. The Rebels had multiple chances to secure a victory but ultimately succumbed to their ongoing struggles, losing 106-99 and extending their losing streak.
A Game of Runs
The match kicked off with Ole Miss striking first thanks to Patton Pinkins’ quick layup just 21 seconds into the game. However, both teams exhibited an intense back-and-forth dynamic early on, with neither able to establish a significant lead. The score fluctuated between one and two points for much of the first half until it was tied at 21-21 with just under ten minutes remaining.
As the clock ticked down toward halftime, the Bayou Bengals managed to take a narrow lead at 38-36 after Pablo Tamba’s layup. But Ole Miss responded well, regaining control before halftime as AJ Storr converted a layup to send the teams into the break with Ole Miss ahead by one point at 42-41.
Second Half Surge
The second half saw Ole Miss come out firing. Eduardo Klafke delivered a step-back three-pointer that pushed their lead to seven points (50-43) early on. For nearly 17 minutes, the Rebels maintained this advantage and appeared poised for victory.
However, LSU’s Michael Nwoko refused to let his team falter and hit a midrange jumper that tied the game at 80-80 late in regulation. With only 1:13 left on the clock, Corey Chest electrified the crowd with an alley-oop slam that briefly gave Ole Miss an edge at 82-80. Yet fate would not be kind; LSU was sent to the line during their final possession and converted both free throws, forcing overtime.
Overtime Drama
In overtime one, excitement reached its peak as Ole Miss surged ahead again with an early lead of 86-82 following another impressive alley-oop slam by Storr during a fastbreak opportunity. But just when it seemed like momentum was firmly in favor of the Rebels, LSU clawed back once more to tie things up again with mere seconds remaining on the clock.
As they entered double overtime, fatigue began taking its toll on both squads. LSU managed to seize control for most of this period while Ole Miss struggled offensively despite valiant efforts from their key players.
Standout Performances Amidst Disappointment
Kamardine led all scorers for Ole Miss with an impressive performance—26 points coupled with ten assists marking his first double-double of the season. Other notable contributions came from Malik Dia (20 points), AJ Storr (19 points), and Eduardo Klafke (16 points). Their combined efforts were commendable but fell short in critical moments where execution mattered most.
This matchup set records as well; together both teams scored a staggering total of 205 points—the highest ever recorded in SJB Pavilion history—highlighting not only offensive prowess but also defensive lapses throughout the game.
Looking Ahead
With this loss now behind them, Ole Miss stands at an overall record of 11-17 and holds a disappointing SEC mark of 3-12. The Rebels will look to regroup quickly as they prepare for their final road game against Auburn on Saturday evening at Neville Arena—a crucial matchup if they hope to end their season on a high note.
We will see what lies ahead for Chris Beard’s squad for the closing of the a rought season; however, one thing is clear: until they can capitalize on key opportunities when it counts most, victories may continue eluding them.