The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Jacksonville St
Ole Miss Routs Jacksonville State In Season Opener, 74-59
11/19/1999 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 19, 1999
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - Rahim Lockhart scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Mississippi to a 74-59 win over Jacksonville State Friday in the season opener for both teams.
Lockhart, one of two returning starters, hit 11-of-17 shots from the field and 7-of-10 free throws as Ole Miss jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first 90 seconds and never trailed.
Jacksonville State cut the lead to 13-10 on a 3-point play by Mike McDaniel with 15:38 left. The Rebels answered with an 8-0 run, highlighted by 3-point play and a slam dunk by Lockhart for a 21-10 lead.
Lockhart had 12 points in the opening eight minutes and 17 for the first half.
Jacksonville State managed only four field goals in the final 15 minutes of the first half, but stayed within striking distance by making 12-of-13 free throws.
Shawn Philpotts scored a 3-point play for Jacksonville State with five seconds remaining to pull the Gamecocks within 39-33 at the half.
Rashard Willie led Jacksonville State with 10 first-half points.
LaTaryl Williams, Marcus Hicks and Emmanuel Wade hit consecutive 3-pointers to give Ole Miss a 49-37 lead early in the second half. In the final 12 minutes, the Gamecocks never got closer than 10 points again.
Hicks, the other returning starter for the Rebels, added 15 points, including 12 in the second half. Williams also scored 15 for the Rebels.
Jacksonville State got 17 points from Willie.
The Rebels have won 26 consecutive non-conference games at home.
