In a thrilling NCAA Tournament match, the University of Mississippi showcased their prowess by defeating Iowa State in an impressive 91-78 win. This victory marks only the second time in Ole Miss's history that they have reached the Sweet 16. With standout performances from key players and strategic leadership from coach Chris Beard, the Rebels secured their place among seven SEC schools advancing to this stage. Their next challenge will be against either New Mexico or Michigan State in Atlanta.
On Sunday night, the energy at the court was palpable as Ole Miss demonstrated their dominance. Key contributors included Sean Pedulla with 20 points and Jaemyn Brakefield adding 19 points to the scoreboard. Coach Chris Beard, who previously led Texas Tech to the 2019 NCAA final, brought his experience to Ole Miss after overcoming personal challenges earlier in 2023. His hiring by Ole Miss came shortly after he parted ways with Texas.
The game unfolded dramatically as Ole Miss initially trailed but soon turned things around with a powerful 20-2 run early in the contest. This surge transformed a deficit into a commanding lead which they maintained throughout most of the game. Despite a late rally attempt by Iowa State, it wasn't enough to close the gap significantly. The Rebels' efficiency was evident through their shooting accuracy and effective use of turnovers, scoring 20 points off Iowa State’s mistakes.
Chris Jones led the Cyclones with 26 points; however, Milan Momcilovic struggled, managing just five points on poor shooting form. The disparity in turnover management highlighted Ole Miss's superior gameplay, contributing significantly to their decisive margin of victory. Fans erupted in celebration as the final whistle blew, chanting support for their beloved team.
Moving forward, Ole Miss aims higher than ever before. They seek not only to replicate past successes but also break new ground by reaching a regional final for the first time since their previous Sweet 16 appearance ended with a loss to Arizona two decades ago. With momentum building and strong team dynamics, all eyes are now set on what promises to be an exciting continuation of their tournament journey.