1-3-1 Postgame Report: Ole Miss Upsets No. 4 Tennessee on Senior Night
In a stunning Senior Night performance, Ole Miss took down No. 4 Tennessee 71-68 in Oxford, handing the Volunteers a tough late-season loss. The Rebels, fueled by an electric home crowd, played one of their most complete games of the season, pulling off their biggest win under head coach Chris Beard.
Senior guard Matthew Murrell led the charge for Ole Miss, scoring 22 points, including a clutch three-pointer in the final minutes to keep the Rebels ahead. Jaylen Murray added 15 points, while Allen Flanigan contributed 12, helping Ole Miss withstand Tennessee’s late push.
The Rebels’ defense was relentless, forcing 14 turnovers and holding the Vols to just 39% shooting from the field. Tennessee struggled to find its rhythm offensively, with star guard Dalton Knecht limited to 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting. Despite a strong second-half push, the Volunteers couldn’t overcome their early struggles.
Ole Miss controlled the tempo early, taking a 35-29 lead into halftime. Tennessee responded with a 9-0 run early in the second half, briefly grabbing the lead, but the Rebels answered with big shots and key defensive stops down the stretch. Free throws from Murrell and Flanigan in the final seconds sealed the victory.
With the win, Ole Miss improves to 21-9 (8-8 SEC) and bolsters its NCAA Tournament hopes. Tennessee, now 24-6 (14-3 SEC), will look to regroup before the SEC Tournament as it continues its push for a top seed in March Madness.
For the Rebels, this victory serves as a signature moment in Beard’s first season, proving they can compete with the best teams in the country.
