Rapid Reaction: Ole Miss Basketball Falls to Will Wade, NC State in 76-62 Loss

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Despite a second-half rally that saw Ole Miss outscore their opponent by five, the Rebels took a hard-fought loss 76-62 against NC State in Greensboro, North Carolina at First Horizon Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.

Ole Miss (7-5) started the game offensively with an immediate three-pointer from Travis Perry, but NC State (9-4) quickly responded with a three-pointer of its own before going on a 7-0 run to go up 10-5 headed into the first media timeout.

Coming out of the break, NC State continued to build on its run, extending it to an 11-0 run, until Malik Dia hit a fadeaway mid-range jumper at the 11:04 minute mark to cut the Wolfpack's lead to seven, 14-7.

Perry would hit another three-pointer shortly after, then follow it with a made floater on the next offensive possession with 8:33 left in the half to put Ole Miss within four, 16-12. However, NC State knocked down a pair of triple to kick off a run, eventually leading at the halfway mark 45-26.

Despite the deficit, Ole Miss continued to fight, as Perry knocked down his fifth three-pointer of the game to get the Rebels within 14, 66-52.

The Rebels would outscore their opponent 36-31 in the final 20 minutes of action, but come up short by the final buzzer.

Both Perry and Dia combined for 19 points in the second half in a fighting effort against NC State, including a career high 21 points for Perry.

Ole Miss will return to Oxford next and host Alcorn State on Monday, December 29 at 7 p.m. in the SJB Pavilion.

NOTABLES

• Malik Dia scored 18 points and added 11 rebounds against NC State for his second double-double of the season. Dia has now tallied three double-doubles as a Rebel and six for his career.
• Dia's 11 rebounds on the day shot him past the 500-mark for his college career.
• Travis Perry knocked down five threes against NC State for a new career high, surpassing his previous high of three made threes against Miami earlier this season.
• Perry's 21 points today are a new college best for a single game. He also tied his career-best for steals in a game with four.

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