Ole Miss Showcases Dominance in Season Opener Against Long Island
Oxford, Mississippi – The air was buzzing with excitement as the Mississippi Rebels kicked off their basketball season with a bang on Monday night, making their home court, the Sandy and John Black Pavilion, the place to be. Ole Miss made quite an impression, cruising past the Long Island Sharks with a decisive score of 90-60. Yes, you heard that right – talk about a strong start!
Hot Shooting and Team Effort Steals the Show
Leading the charge for the Rebels was none other than Jaylen Murray. The red-hot guard lit up the court, scoring an impressive 24 points. He was practically unstoppable, sinking 7 of his 10 field-goal attempts, including an astonishing 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. Let’s not forget, he also nailed every single one of his free throw attempts, going 5 for 5. That’s the kind of performance that gets fans on their feet!
Other Rebels joined the party, with Jaemyn Brakefield contributing 12 points and both Matthew Murrell and transfer Dre Davis from Seton Hall adding 11 points each. The team, which finished with a 20-12 record last season, is hoping to build on that momentum this year. They were picked to finish ninth in the SEC preseason media poll – a ranking they are looking to improve upon with performances like this!
Sharks Try to Keep Up
For Long Island University, it was a bit of a tough night, but they had their moments. Malachi Davis, a transfer from Arizona State who was recognized on the Preseason All-Northeast Conference team, and teammate Brent Davis each scored 19 points, putting in a valiant effort. Unfortunately, the rest of the Sharks’ roster struggled, combining to shoot only 8 of 31 from the floor. That level of shooting just won’t cut it against a high-powered team like Ole Miss.
Game Highlights and Turning Points
The game started off a bit rocky for both teams, with the lead changing hands twice and being tied three times early on. Things really began to shift for Ole Miss when Sean Pedulla, a transfer from Virginia Tech, hit a 3-pointer that ignited a 10-0 run, giving the Rebels a solid 20-10 lead. A barrage of three-pointers from Brakefield and Murray extended the lead to 44-27 by halftime.
Despite a brief effort from Long Island to close the gap at the start of the second half, the Rebels quickly countered with a series of layups, keeping the Sharks at bay with a comfort zone lead that they would maintain for the rest of the game. Ole Miss also showed off their depth, boasting a remarkable 32-14 advantage in bench scoring.
The Path Ahead
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Ole Miss to see if they can carry this early momentum throughout the year. With their offensive firepower and solid performances from the bench, they are definitely a team to watch in the SEC. For Long Island, it’s back to the drawing board, hoping for better results as they look to find their footing in the Northeast Conference.
The Rebels’ season is just beginning, but if tonight’s performance is any indication, they might just be a force to be reckoned with. So mark your calendars, folks – the Ole Miss Rebels are ready to take on all challengers!
