Ole Miss Basketball: Rebels top Kentucky at home

Mar 2, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Devontae Shuler (2) handles the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Devin Askew (2) during the second half at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Devontae Shuler (2) handles the ball against Kentucky Wildcats guard Devin Askew (2) during the second half at The Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Coach Kermit Davis and Ole Miss basketball were back in action Tuesday night as they defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 70-62 in The Pavilion. 

Ole Miss basketball (14-10, 9-8) was back in action Tuesday night as they faced off against the Kentucky Wildcats (8-15, 7-9) in Oxford at The Pavilion in Oxford. The Rebels entered the game coming off a 75-70 loss on the road to Vandy. The Wildcats (8-15, 7-9) entered the matchup coming off of a 71-61 home loss against the Florida Gators.

The Rebels opened the Tuesday night game with a need to win if they expect postseason play beyond the SEC tourney. The Rebels started off strong and took a 32-29 lead into the halftime break. In the second half, the Rebels outscored the Wildcats 38-33 and picked up the 70-62 SEC home win. OHT looks at the Rebels’ big win by the numbers.

By The Numbers

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As a team, the Rebels shot 23 of 50 or 46.0% from the field. Kentucky hit only 21 of 56 or 37.5% of their shots from inside the arc. Beyond the arc, the Rebels hit 8 of 13 of or 61.5% of their shots. Kentucky suffered from the three-point line hitting only 5 of 20 or 25.0% of their shots from beyond the arc.

From the charity stripe, the Rebels hit 16 of 19 or 84.2% of their shots. Kentucky was bad hitting just 15 of 25 or 60.0% from the free-throw line. Rebounds were where the game was decided. The Rebels outrebounded the Wildcats 42-28.

The Rebels had 17 turnovers while forcing just 7 Wildcat turnovers. The Wildcats scored 19 points off Ole Miss turnovers while the Rebels scored only 7 points off Kentucky miscues.

The Rebels had 7 second-chance points off 11 offensive boards while Kentucky had 12 second-chance points off 10 offensive rebounds. The Rebels bench scored 14 points while four Rebels scored in double-digits with two Rebels recording double-doubles.

Leading all Rebels was Devontae Shuler who had 17 points with 1 steal, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists. Following Shuler was KJ Buffen and his double-double with 16 points and 10 boards. Buffen also had 1 steal and 2 assists. Romello White also recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. Off the bench, Sammy Hunter also had 11 points. Hunter had 2 blocks and 2 rebounds.

Next up was Jarkel Joiner who added 7 points with 1 steal, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds. Luis Rodriguez added 5 points with 1 steal, 1 block, 1 assist, and 8 rebounds. Matthew Murrell rounded out the scoring for the Rebels with 3 points. Murrell added 1 block, 1 assist, and 2 rebounds.

The Rebels will be back in action Saturday evening as they finish out the regular season when they host Vanderbilt. Tipoff from The Pavilion is set for 6:00 pm CT and the game will be televised via the SEC Network.