In-Game Updates: Ole Miss Basketball Faces Alabama in Nationally-Ranked SEC Showdown

The Ole Miss Rebels take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Tuesday night in Tuscaloosa.

Jan 11, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Dre Davis (14) reacts during the second half against the LSU Tigers at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The No. 21 Ole Miss Rebels are off to a hot start in SEC play, holding a 3-0 record in mid-January. That short streak will be put to the test on Tuesday night against one of the top offenses in college basketball as the Rebels face the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.

Ole Miss (14-2, 3-0 SEC) has gained wins over Georgia, Arkansas and LSU so far in conference play, and Alabama (14-2, 3-0 SEC) has picked up victories over Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas A&M. The Rebels and Tide are two of the three remaining undefeated teams in the Southeastern Conference alongside the Auburn Tigers who face Mississippi State on Tuesday night.

While it's still early in the conference schedule, Ole Miss coach Chris Beard knows that a win on Tuesday night would be a massive boost to his team, both in morale and in their resume moving forward. He spoke to that fact on Monday.

"This is a first place game," Beard said in a press conference on Monday. "There are three teams in the SEC right now that are in first place. We'll be in a game tomorrow night at 6 where two of those three teams are playing. It's early in the race, but it's certainly an opportunity for us."

You can follow along below for in-game updates between Ole Miss and Alabama on Tuesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU.

PREGAME

Ole Miss has already been preparing for Tuesday's game in Coleman Coliseum by getting some shots up in practice scenarios since arriving in Tuscaloosa.

Ranked Showdown 🔜#HottyToddy x #Culture pic.twitter.com/NwP4vJglsN

— Ole Miss Men’s Basketball (@OleMissMBB) January 14, 2025

FIRST HALF

1H U16 | Ole Miss' defense is playing well thus far, forcing five Alabama turnovers in the first four minutes of the game. Offensively, the Rebels have struggled in the opening minutes. Alabama 4, Ole Miss 2

1H U12 | Ole Miss had a lead following the U16 media timeout, but Alabama went on an 8-0 run to end that frame to reclaim the advantage. The Rebels are shooting 27 percent from the floor. Alabama 14, Ole Miss 10

1H U8 | The Rebels have fought throughout this first half and have pushed enough buckets together to tie the game at 24. Malik Dia leads the way with eight points. Alabama 23, Ole Miss 23

1H U4 | Ole Miss' defense is keeping it in this game as it trails Alabama by one. Rebels have held the Tide to a mark of 3-for-10 from three. Alabama 29, Ole Miss 28

HALF: Ole Miss had the deficit at one before an impressive shot before the buzzer from Alabama gives it a four-point lead at the break. Alabama 36, Ole Miss 32

SECOND HALF

2H U16 | Ole Miss' defense is still forcing turnovers to start the second half. The Rebels are +12 in turnover margin tonight as they hold a one-point lead. Ole Miss 41, Alabama 40

2H U12 | Ole Miss is holding onto a slim lead early in the second half. Ole Miss 49, Alabama 44

2H U8 | Ole Miss led by as much as 10, but its lead is now down to six as Coleman Coliseum has come to life in Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss 56, Alabama 50

2H U4 | Ole Miss has just under four minutes to go in an attempt to pull off a massive SEC road upset. Ole Miss 61, Alabama 54

FINAL | Ole Miss 74, Alabama 64. This marks the first-ever road win for Ole Miss over an AP Top 5 team.