Ole Miss Rebels vs Texas Longhorns Box Score – March 07, 2025 – The Athletic

Introduction:

On March 7, 2025, the Ole Miss Rebels hosted the Texas Longhorns at the Ole Miss Pavilion in a highly anticipated college basketball game. Both teams entered the contest with aspirations of making a statement in the SEC and Big 12 conference standings, respectively. The game provided high intensity, thrilling basketball, and was a nail-biting affair that saw Ole Miss edge out Texas by a slim margin, 72-69. The victory improved the Rebels’ standing in their conference, while Texas was left to assess how they could rebound from a heartbreaking loss.

Pre-Game Context:

This matchup held significant importance for both teams. Ole Miss, under Coach Kermit Davis, had been a rising force in the SEC this season. The Rebels were coming off several strong victories and were looking to build momentum heading into the postseason. Meanwhile, Texas, led by head coach Rodney Terry, had been a contender in the Big 12 but had struggled with consistency in certain areas.

Ole Miss entered the game with a record of 16-5 overall and 5-3 in SEC play, positioning them in the upper half of the conference standings. The Texas Longhorns, on the other hand, were 14-7 overall and 3-5 in Big 12 play, struggling with defensive and shooting consistency in their recent games.

First Half Analysis:

The game began at a frenetic pace, with both teams quickly finding their rhythm on offense. Texas showcased their powerful frontcourt early on, using their size to dominate the paint, while Ole Miss countered with an aggressive, up-tempo style, utilizing quick ball movement and sharp outside shooting to keep the Longhorns on their heels.

Texas jumped to an early lead thanks to a couple of early three-pointers from their star guard, who was having one of his better games of the season. The Longhorns’ defense also proved effective in the first few minutes, as they were able to get out in transition off of forced turnovers. Their defense was stifling, particularly against the Rebels’ perimeter shooters, and they seemed to have an answer for almost every Ole Miss possession.

However, as the first half progressed, the Rebels adjusted their offensive scheme. Ole Miss’s forward, Jaemyn Brakefield, began to take over. Brakefield was a major force for Ole Miss in the first half, finishing with 12 points and 5 rebounds at the break. His ability to finish at the rim and stretch the defense with his mid-range game allowed Ole Miss to keep within striking distance. The Rebels also started moving the ball more effectively, with guard Tameiya Sadler contributing 7 points and 4 assists in the first half.

Texas, despite leading for much of the half, began to lose their grip on the game towards the end of the period. The Longhorns’ offense stagnated as they failed to convert on a series of possessions. This allowed Ole Miss to surge back, tying the game at 34-34 by the time the buzzer sounded for halftime.

Second Half Analysis:

The second half proved to be even more thrilling and tightly contested. Texas came out with a renewed sense of urgency, determined to put the game away with a commanding start. However, Ole Miss’s defensive adjustments kept the Longhorns from building any substantial lead.

The Rebels’ defense, which had been porous at times in the first half, turned up the intensity. They applied full-court pressure to the Longhorns’ ball handlers, forcing them into difficult shots and turnovers. Ole Miss also started dominating the boards, particularly on the offensive glass, where they grabbed several crucial rebounds to extend possessions. Brakefield, in particular, was relentless in his pursuit of the ball, grabbing key offensive rebounds in the second half and scoring on putbacks.

As the half wore on, both teams found themselves engaged in a back-and-forth battle. Texas responded to the pressure with several big shots from their sharpshooting guard, who was on fire from beyond the arc. He knocked down two three-pointers in quick succession, pushing Texas back into a slim lead with just under five minutes to go.

Despite Texas’s sharp shooting, Ole Miss refused to back down. The Rebels continued to move the ball efficiently, and their perimeter shooting became a key factor. The Longhorns’ defense, which had been so effective in the first half, began to show signs of fatigue, and Ole Miss exploited that weakness. Guard Kennedy Todd-Williams hit several clutch three-pointers, and forward Kadeem Stokes contributed with several key mid-range jumpers to give Ole Miss a slight edge as the clock wound down.

Key Moment – Final Seconds:

The game reached its peak in the final 30 seconds. With Ole Miss leading 70-69, the Longhorns had a chance to retake the lead. Texas was able to work the ball into their star guard’s hands, who drove the lane looking for an opportunity to either score or kick it out to an open shooter. However, the Ole Miss defense tightened up, and the Texas guard was forced into a contested layup attempt, which missed.

On the ensuing possession, Ole Miss’s Davon Barnes, who had been steady throughout the game, stepped to the free-throw line with the chance to put the game away. Barnes, calm under pressure, knocked down two free throws with 8 seconds remaining, giving the Rebels a three-point lead. Texas had one final chance to tie the game, but their last-ditch three-pointer missed as time expired, and Ole Miss secured a hard-fought 72-69 victory.

Player Highlights:

Ole Miss: Jaemyn Brakefield finished as the game’s leading scorer, with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists. His inside presence was crucial for the Rebels, and he showed his versatility with several key buckets down the stretch. Guard Tameiya Sadler had an efficient game, contributing 15 points and 6 assists, playing a key role in orchestrating the offense. Kennedy Todd-Williams came off the bench to score 12 points, including some clutch three-pointers in the second half.
Texas: Senior guard from Texas led his team with 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. He was a consistent offensive threat for the Longhorns throughout the game, especially in the first half when he helped Texas build a lead. Forward Sira Thienou had a solid performance with 14 points and 7 rebounds, controlling the paint and offering a strong presence inside. However, his efforts weren’t enough to overcome the Rebels’ late-game execution.

Coaching Strategies:

Ole Miss: Coach Kermit Davis employed a strategy that played to his team’s strengths—speed, ball movement, and transition offense. The Rebels utilized their up-tempo game to tire out the Longhorns’ defense and get easy buckets in transition. Defensively, Ole Miss started to apply more pressure in the second half, forcing Texas into uncomfortable situations. The Rebels also found success on the boards, particularly offensively, where they generated second-chance opportunities that allowed them to stay in the game.
Texas: Coach Rodney Terry made several defensive adjustments in the second half, switching to a 2-3 zone defense to slow down Ole Miss’s perimeter shooting. While this tactic had some success, it was ultimately not enough to counteract Ole Miss’s offensive flow. Offensively, Texas relied heavily on their guards to create scoring opportunities, but the inability to make key shots in the clutch moments was costly.

Post-Game Analysis:

This game was a perfect microcosm of college basketball’s unpredictable nature. Both teams had their moments of brilliance but also their fair share of mistakes. Ole Miss, despite some early struggles, was able to keep their composure and execute in crunch time. Their success came down to a combination of gritty defense, fast breaks, and the ability to capitalize on key possessions.

Texas, on the other hand, can take away the fact that they were competitive but must address their inconsistency in late-game situations. Their inability to close out games has been a theme for the Longhorns this season, and this loss will surely sting as they try to stay competitive in the Big 12 standings.

For Ole Miss, the win was a crucial one as they continued to build momentum and cement themselves as a team to watch in the SEC. They’ll need to continue their strong play down the stretch if they hope to make a deep run in the conference tournament.

As the final buzzer sounded, Ole Miss celebrated a well-earned 72-69 victory, improving their record to 17-5 overall and 6-3 in SEC play. Texas, despite a strong effort, dropped to 14-8 and 3-6 in Big 12 play. This game was a testament to the competitive nature of college basketball, with both teams giving it their all until the very last possession. For Ole Miss, the win marked a statement victory as they look to remain a contender in the SEC, while Texas will look to regroup and find consistency before the postseason.