Memphis Tigers Defeat Ole Miss Rebels in High-Scoring Matchup

News Summary

The Memphis Tigers showcased their basketball prowess with an impressive 87-70 victory over the No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels at the FedExForum. With a season-high 28 points from Colby Rogers and key contributions from PJ Haggerty and Moussa Cisse, the Tigers built an early lead and maintained control despite a late rally from the Rebels. Memphis dominated the boards, out-rebounding Ole Miss 45-34, and improved their season record to 10-3 as they prepare for continued SEC competition.

Memphis Tigers Triumph Over Ole Miss Rebels in Exciting Showdown

This past Saturday was a thrilling night for basketball fans in Memphis as the Memphis Tigers took to the court to face off against the No. 16 ranked Ole Miss Rebels. In a high-energy matchup at the FedExForum, the Tigers absolutely dominated, emerging victorious with a score of 87-70. An enthusiastic crowd of over 15,000 fans filled the arena, and among them were some notable Memphis legends like Jerry “The King” Lawler and “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart, adding to the excitement of the evening.

Player Highlights and Standout Performances

Colby Rogers was the star of the night for the Tigers, lighting up the scoreboard with a season-high 28 points, just shy of his career-best. Alongside him, PJ Haggerty chipped in another solid performance, scoring 17 points and helping to lead the offensive charge for Memphis. But it didn’t stop there—Moussa Cisse made his presence felt as well, notching a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. This marked his first double-double since March 15, 2023, making it a special night for him.

As for the Tigers’ overall record, this win pushed them to 10-3 on the season—a much-needed boost following their recent loss to Mississippi State, which had dampened their momentum at home. Notably, the Tigers now have an impressive eight Quad 1 and Quad 2 victories, the highest total in the nation.

Ole Miss Struggles Against Strong Defense

seven points on a rough shooting night of 3-of-11, limiting Ole Miss’s scoring opportunities. The Rebels did attempt to rally with a late-game run, scoring seven unanswered points to cut the deficit to 75-60, but Rogers quickly quelled that momentum with a critical three-pointer.

Game Dynamics and Key Moments

The game kicked off with an electrifying alley-oop dunk from Cisse, courtesy of Haggerty, just 13 seconds in—a moment that set the tone for the Tigers from the very start. Memphis managed to build a comfortable lead, at one point going up by as many as 13 points in the first half. However, a late surge from Ole Miss saw them outscore Memphis 24-11 in the final seven minutes of that half, making it a close contest at halftime with a score of 38-36 in favor of Memphis.

As the second half began, the Tigers came out strong, extending their lead by scoring rapidly. Tensions rose when Ole Miss forward Mikeal Brown-Jones was ejected for a flagrant-2 foul after a hit on Cisse, a moment that shifted the momentum back to Memphis. With free throws following the ejection, the Tigers expanded their lead to 11 points.

Rebounding Woes for Ole Miss

45-34. Following the game, Coach Chris Beard of Ole Miss expressed concerns regarding rebounding efficiency and player performance, highlighting areas that need attention moving forward.

11-2. They now face tougher competition in the upcoming SEC play, beginning with a matchup against Georgia on January 4. Meanwhile, the Tigers are riding high on this victory and looking ahead with renewed confidence.