In an exhilarating encounter at Baton Rouge, Dre Davis took center stage in a nail-biting finale, helping Mississippi snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Davis tipped in a missed layup by Sean Pedulla with barely 0.1 seconds on the clock, sealing a 72-70 win over LSU. This triumphant shot solidified No. 25 Mississippi's place among the Southeastern Conference's leading teams.
Mississippi, now boasting an 18-6 record overall and a 7-4 standing in the Southeastern Conference, was trailing 70-65 before initiating an astonishing 7-0 game-winning run. Jaemyn Brakefield played a critical role, leveling the score with a crucial 3-pointer in the final minute. Following Brakefield's effort, Davis capitalized on Pedulla’s miss, though this crucial basket was initially dismissed for offensive goaltending until a closer review via instant replay confirmed the win for the Rebels.
The Rebels were led admirably by Davis, who scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Pedulla was also instrumental, contributing 17 points, while Brakefield added 11 points coupled with eight rebounds. Matthew Murrell rounded off the team's top performers with a double-digit showing of 10 points and nine rebounds.
LSU, now holding a 12-11 record overall with a 1-9 slump in the conference, faced its sixth straight defeat. Cam Carter emerged as a valiant performer with 16 points, closely followed by Daimion Collins and Jordan Sears who scored 15 and 13 points, respectively.
The game marked another intense clash between these SEC rivals. In past matchups, Mississippi has shown resilience, as evidenced by their previous comeback wins despite halftime deficits. However, LSU hoped their defensive strategies would work better this time. Early efforts bore fruit as LSU closed Mississippi’s formidable forward line to just 12 points and five rebounds in the first half. However, the second half saw the Rebels gain momentum, outscoring and out-rebounding the Tigers.
The thriller further spotlighted the teams' struggles from the free-throw line. The Rebels and Tigers collectively converted just 32 out of 54 attempts, with LSU landing only 12 of 25 and the Rebels managing 20 of 29. This perhaps kept fans on the edge of their seats till the very end, exemplifying both teams' need for improvement in this area.
Following this exciting victory, Mississippi is set to face South Carolina in a road game, while LSU looks to change their fortunes when they play at Arkansas. As the season progresses, eyes will remain on how these teams adapt and respond within the rigors of the SEC.
