Ole Miss basketball defense allows season-low, Rebels blow out Southern Miss in Biloxi

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Ole Miss basketball’s stifling defense set season records for both Southern Miss and the Rebels on Saturday.

No. 15 Ole Miss beat Southern Miss 77-46 on Saturday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. The 46 points were a season low for the Golden Eagles and a season-best performance for the Ole Miss defense.

Southern Miss shot 16-for-49 from the field (32.7%) and 10-for-15 from the free throw line (66.7%). Southern Miss had 17 total turnovers, 11 of which came in the second half.

The last time Ole Miss allowed less than 46 points was in 2020, when the Rebels beat Jackson State 80-45.

Ole Miss guard Sean Pedulla led the way offensively for the Rebels. He had a game-high 18 points, all of which came on 3-pointers. Coach Chris Beard said that Pedulla’s big scoring night began with good defense.

“I thought he was aggressive on defense,” Beard said. “He was very competitive on defense today. I think, like what happens a lot in our sport, that will bleed into the other end.”

Pedulla had two blocks and a steal. In total, the Rebels forced 24 points off turnovers against an undermanned Southern Miss unit. Golden Eagles guard Andre Curbello did not play. He was suspended indefinitely for disciplinary reasons and last played on Nov. 24. Starting forward Denijay Harris carried Southern Miss’ offense. He scored 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting.

Beard said that he’d like to continue playing Southern Miss on an annual basis, even though being friends with Southern Miss coach Jay Ladner complicates things.

“I don’t like to play friends,” Beard said. “We don’t seek that out. But I think the game makes a lot of sense. Coach Ladner and I are friends. (Playing the game) is the best thing for basketball in the state of Mississippi. Both schools have a lot of alumni and fans in this part of the state.”

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ole-miss-basketball-defense-allows-001518490.html

Author : The Clarion Ledger

Publish date : 2024-12-15 00:15:00

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