Texas Longhorns Leading at Halftime vs. Ole Miss Rebels: Live Updates

The Texas Longhorns are finally finding some consistency with back-to-back wins over Oklahoma and South Carolina despite having to overcome slow starts to both of those games. And now the Longhorns have the chance of doing something they haven't done all season, which is win three straight SEC games.

Standing in the way of the feat is the Ole Miss Rebels, who head into the Moody Center on Saturday afternoon. While much of the game might gravitate towards Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard and his return to Austin for the first time since being fired three years ago, the action within the white lines will be the most important come game time.

The Rebels head out on the road with a different trajectory than the Longhorns, with an even 11-11 record, a 3-6 record in the SEC, and are finding their last few games challenging, losing four straight against tough competition with losses to Auburn, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and, most recently, Tennessee.

Texas Longhorns vs. Ole Miss Rebels

Texas Longhorns guard Dailyn Swain shoots a layup against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Mike Sharavjamts. | Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

As he's done all season, Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain continues his impressive season and has had even better performances against conference opponents. This year, Swain is averaging 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.8 steals. Swain has also recorded five double-doubles and scored double-digit points in 21 of the Longhorns' 23 games this season.

Swain has elevated his game against SEC competition, averaging 21.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 steals. The forward is top five in scoring, rebounding, and steals in league play this season.

Just like many teams in the SEC, the player to watch resides in the backcourt as the Rebels are led by guard AJ Storr. The guard paces the Rebels in scoring, averaging 14 points per game while shooting 43 percent from the field and 38 percent from beyond the arc.

The second option for Ole Miss this season has been forward Malik Dia, who is averaging 13.5 points per game, shooting 42 percent from the field. Dia is also the Rebels' leading rebounder, averaging 6.3 rebounds per game.

The Longhorns will be chasing something not many players on the roster have achieved: winning three straight conference games as they take on the Rebels at the Moody Center at 1:00 PM. Be sure to check back here at tipoff for live updates as the game goes on.

Follow below for live updates as the game progresses

Live Updates

It'll be the usual starting five for the Longhorns with guard Jordan Pope, guard Tramon Mark, forward Dailyn Swain, forward Camden Heide, and center Matas Vokietaitis.

The Rebels win the tip and will have the first possession of the ballgame.

Under 16 Timeout

The Longhorns have come out rolling, taking an early 11-4 lead with 15:35 minutes left in the opening 20 minutes of the ballgame.

It's been the Matas Vokietaitis show so far in this one for Texas, as the big man is responsible for 8 of the Longhorns' 11 points in the early window. The Longhorns have also gotten to the free-throw line with ease, with seven attempts at the charity stripe and converting all of them. The Rebels have been cold to start the game, shooting one of eight from the field.

Under 12 Timeout

Texas continues its control of the game, leading 20-11 with 10:14 minutes left to play in the first half.

After back-to-back games with slow starts, the Longhorns found a rhythm early on, shooting 6 of 11 from the field, and thanks to a seven-to-nothing run, they've been able to build their lead in the game. While the Rebels continue to struggle shooting 3 of 16 from the field, they are not entirely out of the game so far.

Under 8 Timeout

The Longhorns are firing on all cylinders now as they lead 27-11 with 8:16 left to play in the first half.

Matas Vokietaitis is dominating against the Rebels as the seven-footer's 14 points outscored the Rebels as a whole. The Longhorns have been blazing with a 14-to-nothing run, which is creating the distinction on the scoreboard.

Under 4 Timeout

The Longhorns keep a 33-20 lead with 2:39 minutes left to play in the first half.

While Texas has been in control for the majority of the first half, a nine-to-nothing run by the Rebels has allowed them to cut into the Longhorns' lead ever so slightly.

Halftime: Texas 37, Ole Miss 25

Under 16 Timeout

The Rebels are getting back into this one as the Longhorns lead 41-37 with 15:20 minutes left to go in the second half.

Roles are reversed coming out of the locker, as now the Longhorns have struggled out of the break, shooting two of five from the field and are scoreless for the past three minutes. While the Rebels are finding a rhythm, shooting a perfect five of five from the field and outscoring the Longhorns 12-4 in the early portion of the second half.