The University of Mississippi Athletics
Wednesday, March 11
Nashville, Tenn.
6 p.m.
Ole Miss
13-19,4-14SEC
76
vs
66
Texas
18-14,9-9SEC
1st half1
2nd half2
FinalF
Ole Miss
41
35
76
Texas
30
36
66
Men’s Basketball Beats Texas to Advance to Second Round of SEC Tournament
3/11/2026 | Men's Basketball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Ole Miss defense proved to be too much as it downed Texas 76-66 on Wednesday night in the First Round of the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena.
With under a minute and a half to go in the game, Ilias Kamadine would secure the win for the Rebels after scoring a fastbreak euro-step layup to put the team up 72-63.
Ole Miss (13-19, 4-14 SEC) made its defensive presence felt early in the first half, swiping three steals and recording three blocks, allowing the offense to get out to a 5-0 lead.
Texas (18-14, 9-9 SEC) would battle back to get within one possession with under thirteen minutes left in the half; however, that would be the last time the Longhorns got within a possession the rest of the half.
With five blocks and eight steals, the Ole Miss defense continued to keep Texas at bay and ride Malik Dia's 17 first-half points to a 41-30 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Rebels continued to cruise, maintaining a five-to-10-point lead throughout the first 15 minutes of action.
With four minutes left to play, Texas's Jordan Pope hit a three-pointer to put the Longhorns within three, 66-63. However, a made dunk by James Scott followed by a tipped-in layup on the next possession would set up Kamardine's games-sealing layup.
The Rebels now prepare for Georgia on Thursday, March 12, in the Second Round of the SEC Tournament at 6 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
For the latest news and updates regarding Ole Miss Men's Basketball, follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissMBB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Basketball and on Instagram at olemissmbb.
NOTABLES
With under a minute and a half to go in the game, Ilias Kamadine would secure the win for the Rebels after scoring a fastbreak euro-step layup to put the team up 72-63.
Ole Miss (13-19, 4-14 SEC) made its defensive presence felt early in the first half, swiping three steals and recording three blocks, allowing the offense to get out to a 5-0 lead.
Texas (18-14, 9-9 SEC) would battle back to get within one possession with under thirteen minutes left in the half; however, that would be the last time the Longhorns got within a possession the rest of the half.
With five blocks and eight steals, the Ole Miss defense continued to keep Texas at bay and ride Malik Dia's 17 first-half points to a 41-30 lead at halftime.
In the second half, the Rebels continued to cruise, maintaining a five-to-10-point lead throughout the first 15 minutes of action.
With four minutes left to play, Texas's Jordan Pope hit a three-pointer to put the Longhorns within three, 66-63. However, a made dunk by James Scott followed by a tipped-in layup on the next possession would set up Kamardine's games-sealing layup.
The Rebels now prepare for Georgia on Thursday, March 12, in the Second Round of the SEC Tournament at 6 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
For the latest news and updates regarding Ole Miss Men's Basketball, follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissMBB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Basketball and on Instagram at olemissmbb.
NOTABLES
- With just three turnovers, Ole Miss matched the SEC Tournament record, last done by Vanderbilt in 2004 and Alabama in 1997.
- Malik Dia led all scorers with 23 points, his sixth 20-point game in the past eight contests.
- James Scott narrowly missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, while adding three blocks and a steal on defense.
- Ole Miss set a new season best with 12 steals tonight, led by Ilias Kamardine and Patton Pinkins with three each.
Team Stats
UM
TX
FG%
.469
.352
3FG%
.100
.350
FT%
.750
.840
RB
34
35
TO
3
13
STL
12
1
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballF
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