The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
0-1
Arkansas State
1-0
Rebels Fall In Season-Opener
11/21/2003 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2003
Box Score
OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - J.J. Montgomery scored 24 points and Arkansas State hit 10 free throws in the final three minutes to beat Mississippi 74-69 on Friday.
Tevoris Thompson had 17 points and Dewarick Spencer had 10 as the Indians (1-0) snapped the Ole Miss home court winning streak against non-conference teams at 12.
The Rebels (0-1) had won 57 of their last 59 home games against non-conference opponents and had not lost a home opener since 1995 against Davidson.
The Indians, who led by as many as 15 points in the first half, had a 65-64 lead with 2:42 left before reeling off their string of free throws.
Arkansas State was 10-for-14 from the free throw line. The Rebels never got closer than four points in the final minute.
Justin Reed led the Rebels with 25 points and nine rebounds, but the Rebels were just 25-for-61 from the field, including 7-for-27 from 3-point range.
Aaron Harper added 11 points, but was only 2-for-11 from three-point range and Marvin Moore added 10.
Arkansas State dominated the boards, outrebounding the Rebels 40-31.
Arkansas State had a 13-0 spurt midway through the first half to take a 17-8 lead. Thompson had eight straight points in the run, including a pair of three-point shots.
The Indians led 40-30 at halftime after leading by as many as 15 points.
