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Ole Miss Basketball: Bench points difference in Rebels win over Auburn

By Daniel Skipper

Jan 6, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels forward Khadim Sy (3) and guard Devontae Shuler (2) high five as time expires during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels forward Khadim Sy (3) and guard Devontae Shuler (2) high five as time expires during the first half against the Auburn Tigers at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Coach Kermit Davis and Ole Miss basketball were looking for their first SEC win of the season and found it over Auburn thanks to a solid bench.

Ole Miss basketball (6-3, 1-1) began the 2020-21 college basketball season as a defensive juggernaut then they hit the meat of the young season. The Rebels picked up a loss to Dayton and then back to back losses to Alabama and Wichita State. Coach Kermit Davis and the Rebels needed to find a win. The Rebels were back in action in the midweek matchup against SEC foe Auburn (6-5,  and picked up a 72-61 win over the Tigers in The Pavilion in Oxford.

In a game that was close early, the Rebels took a commanding 43-29 lead into the locker room at the break. Auburn outscored the Rebels 32-29 in the second half but couldn’t overcome the Rebels first-half lead. Thanks to very strong bench play the Rebels picked up their first SEC win of the season. OHT takes a look at the win by the numbers.

By The Numbers

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Ole Miss basketball was much better in the midweek win and the bench was the key with 34 points and 13 points off turnovers. The Rebels shot .458 from the field while Auburn shot just .368 from inside the arc. The Tigers outshot the Rebels .333 to .304 from beyond the arc while the Rebels shot .846 from the charity stripe compared to .778 for the Tigers.

Leading the Rebels in scoring was Khadim Sy with 13 points, 2 boards, and 1 blocked shot. A pair of Rebels, Romello White and Luis Rodriguez followed with 12 points each. Rodriguez also had 7 rebounds to go along with 2 steals. White added 3 rebounds and 1 blocked shot.

Jarkel Joiner added 9 points with 1 steal with Austin Crowley following with 8 points, 10 boards, and 4 steals. Devontae Shuler and KJ Buffen 7 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block each. Shuler had 2 steals while Buffen had 1 takeaway. Rounding out the scoring for the Rebels was Robert Allen who had 4 points and 1 blocked shot. When the Rebels dominate defensively they are hard to beat. A solid bench contribution always helps and it did against Auburn.

Next. Kermit Davis Comparisons. dark

Ole Miss basketball was supposed to be back in action against South Carolina but the game was postponed due to Covid-19. Instead, the Rebels will be hosting the LSU Tigers Saturday night in Oxford at The Pavilion. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm CT and the game will be televised via the SEC Network. As always, stay safe and Hotty Toddy!

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