NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A commanding 23-point performance from Malik Dia, complemented by AJ Storr's explosive 18-point contribution off the bench, propelled 15th-seeded Mississippi to a decisive 76-66 upset victory over 10th-seeded Texas in Wednesday night's SEC Tournament second-round matchup.
Under the direction of Chris Beard — ironically, the former architect of Texas's program — the Rebels delivered a calculated blow to the Longhorns' postseason ambitions. Texas (18-14), widely regarded as a fringe candidate for an at-large NCAA Tournament berth, now faces mounting pressure after dropping five of their previous six contests, leaving their March hopes increasingly tenuous.
Despite entering the second half trailing by 11, the Longhorns mounted a credible response through the early minutes of the second period, fueled largely by Jordan Pope's eight quick points. It was Pope's timely 3-pointer that narrowed the deficit to 53-48 approximately seven minutes into the half, momentarily threatening to reshape the contest's trajectory.
However, Ole Miss demonstrated the kind of resilient resolve that has defined their tournament run. The Rebels (13-19) neutralized Texas's surge with a decisive counter-rally, highlighted by Ilias Kamardine's six-point burst within a commanding 7-0 sequence that restored their double-digit cushion at 60-48. The Longhorns continued to grind their way back — predominantly through free-throw opportunities — trimming the margin to a precarious 66-63 with four minutes left on the clock.
That is when Storr seized the moment, delivering eight critical points across the final two-and-a-half minutes to effectively seal the outcome. Texas, by contrast, could only muster a free throw from Dailyn Swain and a Nic Codie dunk during that decisive stretch, proving woefully insufficient to complete the comeback.
The Longhorns converted 12 of 15 free throw attempts in the second half alone, finishing the game with an efficient 21-of-25 mark from the charity stripe — a statistical bright spot in an otherwise disappointing performance.
Kamardine rounded out a strong individual showing with 16 points, while James Scott contributed a steady 10 for the victorious Rebels. On the Texas side, Swain posted a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds, Pope finished with 16, and Matas Vokietaitis chipped in 10 — collectively not enough to overcome Mississippi's cohesive team effort.
Up next
With the upset secured, Ole Miss advances to face seventh-seeded Georgia in Thursday's next round, with the formidable No. 2-seed Alabama looming as a potential quarterfinal opponent.
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