The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Take Opening Game of Puerto Rico Holiday Classic
6/21/1999 | Men's Basketball
December 21, 1998
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Keith Carter scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half and Mississippi shot 60 percent for the game in a 66-61 victory over St. Joseph's on Monday night in the opening round of the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic.
The Rebels (8-2) advanced to Tuesday's semifinals and will play No. 23 Oklahoma, which advanced after its game with American University of Puerto Rico was declared a forfeit after pushing and shoving followed an elbow thrown by an American player.
Marcus Hicks had 14 points on 7-of-7 shooting for the Rebels, who shot 68 percent (15-of-22) in the second half.
There were five lead changes in the first half which ended with Mississippi leading 27-20.
St. Joseph's (3-4) took the lead back at 41-39 on a three-point play by Andre Howard with 12:39 to play.
After trading the lead for the next four minutes, Carter took over, scoring all the points in an 8-0 run. His 3-pointer with 8:50 left gave the Rebels the lead for good at 46-45 and he added another 3 and two free throws for a 51-45 lead.
The Hawks got within 57-56 on a jumper by Howard with 3:16 to play. Then Carter hit another 3-pointer and Mississippi hung on despite some poor free throw shooting as it made 10 of 27 (37 percent).
Larry Jennings had 16 points for the Hawks, who finished 1-of-11 from 3-point range, while Howard had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
