Exciting Basketball Season Kicks Off in Oxford!
Oxford, Mississippi – It’s an electrifying time for basketball fans as the Mississippi Rebels tip off their season with fierce competition on the horizon! The Rebels opened their season in style with a resounding victory over the Long Island Sharks on Monday, winning 90-60 and showcasing their incredible talent on the court. Now, they’re gearing up to host the Grambling State Tigers this Friday, and anticipation is building in the air!
Rebels Shine in Season Opener
In their season opener, the Rebels demonstrated what they’re capable of. Their standout point guard, Jaylen Murray, dazzled the crowd with a stunning 24-point performance. He wasn’t alone in this victory though, as teammate Jaemyn Brakefield added another 12 points, while both Matthew Murrell and transfer Dre Davis from Seton Hall chipped in with 11 points each.
From start to finish, Ole Miss pushed their lead, going into halftime with a remarkable 17-point lead and solidifying their dominance in the second half. They shot an impressive 49.1 percent from the field and a great 40.9 percent from beyond the arc! It’s safe to say they had quite the evening!
Coach Chris Beard is looking forward to the challenge ahead. “This is a team that if we can get five, six guys in double figures then that’s our identity,” he explained after the game. “We got four tonight, and we would have had five if the game would have been a little different. To have the kind of season we’d all like to have, we are going to have to have different leading scorers on different nights.”
Murray Hits a Milestone
Excitingly, Jaylen Murray not only led the team in scoring but also broke the 1,000-point milestone for his career! His achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication he’s shown during his time at Ole Miss. “The basket was big for Murray,” Coach Beard noted, adding that Murray’s teammates also played a crucial role by spacing the floor effectively, allowing him those coveted shots.
Grambling State Ready for a Challenge
The Rebels won’t have an easy game ahead as they prepare to face the Tigers of Grambling State. The Tigers had a spectacular season opener themselves, smashing Southern University at New Orleans 92-42 this past Monday. Grambling State’s Antwan Burnett led the charge with an impressive 19 points, shooting an impressive 4-of-5 from three-point range. With five other players also breaking into double figures, they’re looking like they are set for another strong season!
Grambling State’s head coach, Donte Jackson, is focused on building team chemistry after earning the school’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament last year. “Chemistry is gonna be a key to getting back to that point,” he remarked. “We gotta get these new guys that we brought in, you know, buying into our culture here as far as being great defensively and then being selfless.”
Tigers on a Mission
The Tigers were voted the top team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in this year’s preseason poll. Their Kintavious Dozier was even named the SWAC preseason Offensive Player of the Year! With such strong prospects, it’s certain that Friday’s matchup will be a battle worth watching.
So grab your popcorn, wear your favorite Rebel gear, and get ready for what promises to be an exhilarating evening of basketball in Oxford. Both teams are fired up, fans are buzzing with excitement, and each game counts as they set their sights on the ultimate prize! Who will come out on top? Only time will tell!
