The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
9-5, 0-1
Arkansas
13-1, 1-0
Ole Miss Falls To Arkansas, 69-46
1/5/2005 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2005
Box Score
By KELLY P. KISSEL
Associated Press Writer
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Eric Ferguson scored 14 points, Ronnie Brewer added 13 and the Arkansas defense showed that the team's cupcake diet prepared them well enough for Southeastern Conference play in a 69-46 victory over Ole Miss on Wednesday.
The Razorbacks (13-1) are amid their best start since their glory years of the early 1990s, but only two victories - over Missouri and Mississippi - have come against teams from major conferences.
Ole Miss (9-5) suffered from the absence of Tommie Eddie, a senior forward-center who didn't make the trip for both teams' conference opener.
Darian Townes scored 12 for Arkansas. Londrick Nolan scored 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead Ole Miss.
Arkansas didn't turn in a "40 Minutes of Hell" performance like those under former coach Nolan Richardson, but there were 20 minutes of pretty good defense - and the Rebels melted under the pressure.
After committing just six turnovers in the first half, Ole Miss had 14 in the first 11 minutes after the break and finished the game with 24.
At the start of a 20-7 run just after halftime, Brewer stole the ball after Nolen tried to bounce it off Brewer's legs while trapped in a corner. On the Rebels' next possession, Brandon Patterson threw the ball away from the top of the key.
Ola Famutimi hit a 3 to make it 34-26, and added a pair of free throws after an intentional foul was called on Cavadas Nunnery following another Arkansas steal and fast break, making it 39-29.
With nine minutes left - after a Townes dunk, a Jonathon Modica steal and layup and another Modica layup following a steal - Arkansas was up 50-33.
At times it was comical. With 5 minutes left, Brewer reached above Justin Johnson - seven inches shorter - and simply took the ball away to start a fast break. Brewer's free throws at the other end made it 60-40.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
