The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
9-1
Louisiana-Lafayette
5-7
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 27 | 27 | 54 |
| Ole Miss | 34 | 32 | 66 |
Rebels Defeat Ragin' Cajuns For Sixth Straight Win
12/14/2011 | Men's Basketball
Dec. 14, 2011
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OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - Sophomore Dundrecous Nelson poured in a season-high 21 points and Ole Miss won its sixth straight game by defeating Louisiana-Lafayette 66-54 on Wednesday night.
Nick Williams added 12 points, five rebounds and a pair of assists for the Rebels (9-1), who shot 24 of 55, 43.6 percent, from the field.
Darshawn McClellan and Bryant Mbamulu led Louisiana-Lafayette (5-7) with 12 points apiece while Josh Brown added 11. McClellan added a team-high nine rebounds.
Ole Miss freshman guard Jelan Kendrick, a transfer from Memphis, was declared eligible by the NCAA on Monday after completing first semester academic requirements. Kendrick was a McDonald's All-American selection as a prep senior two seasons ago.
Kendrick, who is recovering from hernia surgery, was expected to make his playing debut against Louisiana by did not play due to, "a coach's decision," said Andy Kennedy, in the postgame press conference.
Both clubs struggled offensively in the opening 11 minutes, combining for 13 turnovers. The Ragin' Cajuns built their biggest lead, 12-6, highlighted by a pair of baskets from Mbamalu, with 10:55 left.
Ole Miss answered with a decisive 14-0 run, capped by a three-point play by Terrance Henry for a 20-12 lead with 7:41 remaining. The Rebels led by as many as 14 points before Louisiana pulled within 34-27 at halftime.
Louisiana-Lafayette never got closer than six points in the second half. Ole Miss led by as many as 19 points on two occasions, the final time on a three-point shot from Nelson for a 63-44 lead with 7:02 left.
Both teams had difficulty at the free throw line, as Ole Miss finished 10 of 18, 55.6 percent. Louisiana-Lafayette was worse, hitting 11 of 21, 42.1 percent.
The Cajuns missed four of six free throws in a technical foul, ball possession series midway through the second half while trailing 45-34. Louisiana-Lafayette never had an opportunity to pull within 10 points again.
Ole Miss out rebounded Louisiana-Lafayette 35-34, led by Murphy Holloway with 10 boards. The Rebels forced 19 turnovers as Louisiana-Lafayette struggled from the field, managing 19 of 50, 38 percent.
