Can the Ole Miss Rebels' Defensive Wall Hold Back the Crimson Tide Again?
The Ole Miss Rebels, with a 55-45 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide, showcased a formidable defensive performance at Foster Auditorium. The Rebels improved their season record to an impressive tally, while the Crimson Tide's record took a hit with this latest result.
In what was a true display of defensive might, the Ole Miss Rebels fortified their presence under the rim with an astounding 12 blocks against their opponents. This brick wall defense was pivotal in keeping the Alabama team at bay, limiting them to just 45 points for the duration of the game. The Rebels' tenacity on defense was further highlighted by their nine steals and a total rebound count of 44, which included an aggressive offensive rebounding effort that resulted in 16 additional opportunities.
Offensively, while not as dominant as they were on defense, Ole Miss managed to maintain consistency throughout each quarter. They closed out with an impressive surge of 18 points in the final quarter alone. Despite shooting only 31 percent from field goals and missing all attempts from beyond the arc (0 three-point percentage), they excelled at free throws where they scored at a remarkable rate of 79 percent.
The scoring efforts were complemented by contributions across various facets of play; fast break points accounted for 12 and points off turnovers added another substantial chunk to their tally with 24. Their ability to capitalize on turnovers was evident as they scored nearly half as many points off turnovers compared to Alabama's output in this category.
On Alabama's side, despite falling short in scoring and being outmatched defensively, there were still notable efforts worth mentioning. They managed eight steals and five blocks but struggled from both two-point range (28 percent) and free throw line (57 percent). However, they did find some success from three-point land hitting five out of fifteen attempts for a decent conversion rate of about one third.
Looking ahead for Ole Miss fans eager to see if their team can continue this momentum: The next game is set against LSU Tigers at The Pavilion at Ole Miss located in Oxford on January 7th scheduled for broadcast on ESPN channel number two hundred six starting at two o'clock PM Central Time. Fans are encouraged to tune into ESPN or attend live if possible to support their team during this upcoming conference matchup.