On February 15, 2025, the No. 19 Ole Miss Rebels faced off against their archrival, the No. 22 Mississippi State Bulldogs, at the SJB Pavilion in Oxford, Mississippi.
The highly anticipated matchup drew significant attention, as both teams were eager to improve their standings in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and solidify their positions for the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Game Overview
The contest began with Ole Miss displaying offensive efficiency, connecting on 5 of their first 7 shots. Despite this strong start, Mississippi State managed to counter effectively, leading to a tightly contested first half. The Bulldogs eventually gained momentum, outscoring the Rebels 54-40 in the final 23.5 minutes of play, culminating in an 81-71 victory for Mississippi State.
Key Performances
Mississippi State’s success was attributed to a balanced scoring effort:
RJ Melendez: Led the Bulldogs with 17 points, showcasing his offensive prowess.
Josh Hubbard: Contributed 16 points, providing a consistent scoring option.
Riley Kugel: Added 15 points, playing a crucial role in the team’s offensive strategy.
Claudell Harris Jr.: Chipped in 14 points, further enhancing the Bulldogs’ scoring depth.
KeShawn Murphy: Recorded 10 points, rounding out the double-digit scorers for Mississippi State.
On the other side, Ole Miss’s offensive efforts were led by:
Jaylen Murray: Scored 18 points, striving to keep the Rebels competitive.
Sean Pedulla: Added 17 points, contributing significantly to the team’s offense.
Jaemyn Brakefield: Tallied 14 points, playing a vital role in the Rebels’ scoring.
Statistical Highlights
A critical factor in the game’s outcome was shooting efficiency:
Field Goal Percentage: Mississippi State shot 43.1% (28-of-65) from the field, while Ole Miss managed 38.3% (23-of-60).
Three-Point Shooting: The Bulldogs hit 25.9% (7-of-27) of their attempts from beyond the arc, whereas the Rebels connected on 25% (6-of-24) of their three-point shots.
Free Throws: Mississippi State capitalized on free-throw opportunities, making 18-of-27 (66.7%), compared to Ole Miss’s 19-of-26 (73.1%).
Rebounding also played a significant role, with the Bulldogs securing 40 total rebounds, including 12 offensive boards, while the Rebels grabbed 30 rebounds, with 5 on the offensive end.
Implications and Future Outlook
This victory improved Mississippi State’s overall record to 18-7 and evened their SEC record at 6-6. The win also completed a season sweep over Ole Miss, providing the Bulldogs with a confidence boost as they approach the final stretch of the regular season.
For Ole Miss, the loss dropped them to 19-7 overall and 8-5 in the SEC. Despite the setback, the Rebels remain in contention for a favorable seed in the NCAA Tournament. Analysts project Ole Miss as a potential No. 5 seed in the West region, setting up possible matchups against teams like UC San Diego and Arizona.
As both teams look ahead, their performances in the remaining regular-season games and the SEC Tournament will be crucial in determining their postseason destinies. The rivalry between Ole Miss and Mississippi State continues to be a highlight of the college basketball season, showcasing intense competition and passionate fan engagement.
