Ole Miss took control from the outset, building a 19-point halftime lead and cruising to an 86-65 victory over Louisiana-Monroe at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. AJ Storr led the way for the Rebels, scoring 19 points to pace the offense. The win improves Ole Miss's record to 11-9, while Louisiana-Monroe falls to 3-18.
The Rebels came out firing, with Storr and Ilias Kamardine combining for 24 points in the first half. Kamardine added 7 assists to his 15 points, showcasing his all-around skills. Ole Miss's 47-point first half was more than enough to counter Louisiana-Monroe's 28 points, and the Rebels took a 19-point lead into the break. The Warhawks' Krystian Lewis tried to keep his team in it, scoring 17 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Rebels' balanced attack.
In the second half, Ole Miss continued to push the pace, with Malik Dia chipping in 11 points. The Rebels' lead never dipped below 15 points, and they emptied their bench in the final minutes to secure the 21-point win. Louisiana-Monroe's MJ Russell and Renars Sondors added 15 and 11 points, respectively, but the Warhawks couldn't overcome their slow start.
The game unfolded as expected, with Ole Miss's superior talent and depth proving too much for Louisiana-Monroe. The Rebels' strong performance will be a welcome boost to their resume, particularly given the Quad 4 designation for this matchup. While the win may not significantly impact Ole Miss's tournament chances, it's a crucial step in building momentum for the remainder of the season.
For Louisiana-Monroe, the loss is a Quad 2 defeat, which could have implications for their own postseason aspirations – albeit slim given their current record. The Warhawks want to regroup and refocus as they continue their schedule.
As Ole Miss looks to build on this win, they'll take comfort in knowing that their strong first half set the tone for the convincing victory. With Storr and Kamardine leading the charge, the Rebels have the potential to make some noise in their conference. This win may not have been an upset, but it's a crucial step in Ole Miss's journey towards a potential tournament berth. The Rebels' resume now includes a dominant win over a lesser opponent, which will be essential in evaluating their tournament chances as the season progresses.