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Tennessee Volunteers Dominate Ole Miss Rebels with Second Half Surge

The Tennessee Volunteers showcased their prowess against the Ole Miss Rebels, securing an 84-66 victory at Thompson-Boling Arena. This win improved the Vols' record to 25-0, while the Rebels fell to 0-25. The game was a tale of two halves, with both teams tied at halftime before Tennessee pulled away in the second half.


Feb 3, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA;  Mississippi Rebels guard Ilias Kamardine (6) looks to move the ball against Tennessee Volunteers guard Bishop Boswell (3) during the second half at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

First Half


The first half saw a closely contested battle between the two teams. The Volunteers managed to edge out a slight lead by scoring 26 points compared to the Rebels' 25. Nate Ament was instrumental during this period, contributing significantly on both ends of the court with his scoring and defensive efforts.


Second Half


In the second half, Tennessee turned up their intensity and dominated proceedings by adding an impressive 58 points. Their defense also tightened up considerably, limiting Ole Miss to just 41 points in this period. Ja'Kobi Gillespie played a crucial role in this surge, showcasing his skills with key assists and steals that fueled fast breaks for easy baskets.


Feb 3, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA;  Mississippi Rebels forward Malik Dia (0) goes to the basket against Mississippi Rebels guard Travis Perry (11) during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Key Performances


Nate Ament stood out for Tennessee with his efficient shooting performance and strong presence on defense. He finished as one of the top scorers for Rocky Top alongside J.P. Estrella who contributed valuable rebounds and inside scoring that helped maintain their momentum throughout.


On Ole Miss's side, despite their struggles against Tennessee's defense, they had moments where they showed resilience through bench contributions which accounted for over half of their total points scored.


Feb 3, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA;  Tennessee Volunteers guard Troy Henderson (24) shoots a three pointer against Mississippi Rebels guard AJ Storr (2) during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Conclusion


This post-game report Tennessee Volunteers highlights how they capitalized on turnovers from Ole Miss while maintaining control over rebounds which proved pivotal in securing such a decisive win at home ground Thompson-Boling Arena - much appreciated by fans present there witnessing live action unfold before them!


Looking ahead towards future fixtures: mark your calendars as next up is another exciting matchup scheduled against Kentucky Wildcats taking place February seventh starting eight-thirty PM Eastern Time hosted within Rupp Arena located Lexington Kentucky broadcasted live via ESPN network channel! Don't miss out sharing these thrilling updates among fellow enthusiasts today!

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