The Ole Miss men’s basketball team was finally able to close in an exhilarating performance on Saturday night, clinching an 85-79 victory against the Auburn Tigers in front of a packed Neville Arena. This win not only marked a significant breakthrough for the Rebels but also showcased their ability to perform under pressure in hostile territory.
First Half: A Battle for Control
The game began with Auburn establishing an early lead, pushing ahead to 9-4 before Ole Miss found its rhythm. Patton Pinkins ignited the Rebels’ offense with a crucial three-pointer at the 16:49 mark, giving Ole Miss its first lead at 10-9.
For much of the first half, Ole Miss maintained control thanks to contributions from multiple players. Pinkins, AJ Storr, and Malik Dia all scored in double digits during this period. However, it was Auburn’s Keyshawn Hall who momentarily shifted momentum with a three-pointer that extended their lead to 37-30 late in the half.
Despite trailing again, Ole Miss closed out the first half with an impressive 8-0 run, taking a narrow lead into halftime at 38-37. This surge set the stage for an intense second half.
Second Half: Resilience Under Pressure
Coming out of halftime, Auburn quickly regained control and surged ahead to a 48-40 advantage within minutes. However, the Rebels displayed remarkable tenacity as they fought back with a commanding 13-3 run capped off by another three-pointer from Pinkins that put them back in front at 53-51.
As time ticked down on the clock, Ole Miss built up their largest lead of the game at 67-55 with just over seven minutes remaining. But as any seasoned basketball fan knows, no lead is safe—Auburn responded fiercely with a quick-fire 12-4 run that brought them within four points at 71-67.
With under five minutes left on the clock and tensions rising among fans and players alike, Auburn managed to cut it even closer at one possession behind—71-69—after knocking down two free throws. Yet it was Ilias Kamardine who stepped up when it mattered most; his clutch three-pointer gave Ole Miss some breathing room again.
Clutch Moments Seal the Game
In what would be one of the game’s defining moments, James Scott executed a perfectly timed alley-oop slam after receiving a pass from Kamardine with just over one minute remaining. This electrifying play pushed Ole Miss’ lead to seven points (78-71) and proved pivotal as they held on for victory despite late attempts from Auburn.
Pinkins led all scorers with a career-high performance of 26 points while shooting impressively throughout the game—8-for-10 from field goals and hitting six out of seven free throws. AJ Storr matched him point-for-point also contributing significantly off the bench.
Defensively, James Scott made his presence felt by setting a season-best record with four blocks—a crucial factor in keeping Auburn’s offensive threats at bay during critical moments.
Looking Ahead: Next Challenge Awaits
Chris Beard and his ball club finally snapped their 10-game losing streak in a moment when the odds were more than stacked against them. Ole Miss will look forward to their next challenge against No. 21 Vanderbilt back home in Oxford on Tuesday night at SJB Pavilion. Fans can catch all the action live on SEC Network starting at 8 p.m.