The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
8-5, 0-2
Auburn
10-3, 1-1
Rebels Fall To Auburn, 80-53
1/10/2004 | Men's Basketball
Jan 10, 2004
By JOHN ZENOR
AP Sports Writer
AUBURN, Ala. - Marco Killingsworth had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Auburn dominated the boards in an 80-53 victory over Mississippi on Saturday, the second-largest margin in the rivalry's 107-game history.
Brandon Robinson added 14 points and Kyle Davis scored 11 as the Tigers (10-3, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) controlled the inside and kept the Rebels (8-5, 0-2) from getting into an offensive rhythm.
Auburn shot 56 percent to 42 percent for the Rebels while doubling them up on rebounds, 40-20.
The rout was a rarity in recent years for the series, with the previous eight games decided by a combined 29 points. The Tigers have won the past four meetings.
The only game more lopsided in the series was the Rebels' 93-65 win in 1974.
Auburn scored the game's first eight points, led by 17 at halftime and by as many as 34 before both coaches emptied the benches in the final five minutes.
Justin Reed was the only Ole Miss player to score more than six points, finishing with 20 on 9-of-13 shooting. But he got little accomplished in the post, relying instead on his outside shot. The Rebels' other two inside starters - Aaron Harper and Tommie Eddie - combined for just nine points and five rebounds.
Killingsworth, Davis and Robinson combined to make 14 of 20 shots and collect 24 boards. Robinson had 11 second-half points.
It was Killingsworth's first double-double performance of the season and fifth of his career.
Auburn hadn't allowed so few points against Ole Miss since giving up only 46 in 1981. The Tigers made 28 of 38 free throws compared to just 5-of-13 for the Rebels.
The Tigers built their biggest lead of the first half, 39-22, in the final moments and opened the second on a 20-7 run before cruising the rest of the way.
Ole Miss, which has lost two straight after a six-game winning streak, managed only seven first-half rebounds.
