Ole Miss Rebels Emerged Victorious In An Overtime Thriller

In an exciting overtime showdown, the No. 23 Ole Miss Rebels secured a thrilling 96-85 victory over the BYU Cougars to remain undefeated in the Rady Children’s Invitational. The Rebels, now 6-0 on the season, battled back from a 10-point deficit in the first half and showcased their resilience in the second half and overtime. Led by guard Jaylen Murray’s career-high 28 points, Ole Miss overcame BYU’s challenge in a fast-paced, back-and-forth contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

First Half Struggles

The game began with Ole Miss facing an uphill battle as BYU took control early, building a 10-point lead in the first half. Despite the early deficit, Ole Miss stayed composed and chipped away at the Cougars’ lead. By halftime, the Rebels had narrowed the gap to just three points, with the score at 42-39. This set the stage for an intense second half, where both teams exchanged the lead multiple times, with neither side able to pull away.

Murray Leads the Way

As the game entered its final moments of regulation, the Rebels found themselves down by two points with less than a minute remaining. But Jaylen Murray, who had already been a key contributor, delivered a clutch layup with 26 seconds left to tie the game at 77-77, sending the contest into overtime. In the extra period, Murray took over, scoring nine of Ole Miss’ 19 points. His leadership and scoring ability helped propel the Rebels to a dominant 19-8 overtime run, securing the win for Ole Miss.

Balanced Scoring from Ole Miss

Murray wasn’t the only Rebel to step up in this thrilling contest. He was joined in double figures by teammates Matthew Murrell and Dre Davis, who each scored 18 points, and Sean Pedulla, who added 13. As a team, Ole Miss shot 48% from the field, with a solid 81% free throw shooting performance. Though the Rebels struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 29% of their three-point attempts, three of their five successful shots from deep came from Murray.

BYU’s Solid Performance and Key Stats

BYU, despite the loss, put up a strong fight throughout the game. The Cougars shot 41% from the field and 32% from three-point range. They also matched Ole Miss’ free throw percentage at 81% but struggled to keep up with the Rebels’ offensive efficiency in overtime. Although BYU had some standout performances, including a strong showing from their top scorers, it wasn’t enough to overcome Ole Miss’ clutch play in the final moments.

What’s Next for Ole Miss and BYU?

With this hard-fought victory, Ole Miss will continue their journey in the Rady Children’s Invitational, facing the No. 13 Purdue Boilermakers on Friday in another tough matchup. The Rebels will look to build on their perfect 6-0 start, while BYU (4-2) will seek redemption in their next game, hoping to bounce back from the loss.

Final Thoughts

This victory underscores the resilience of the Ole Miss Rebels, who proved they can handle adversity and stay composed under pressure. Jaylen Murray’s sensational performance, along with strong contributions from his teammates, helped Ole Miss keep their unbeaten streak intact. As the Rebels prepare for a high-profile matchup against Purdue, they’ll carry the confidence of a hard-earned overtime win, while BYU will look to regroup and refocus for their next challenge.