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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Saturday, January 31
Nashville, Tenn.
5 p.m.
Ole Miss
11-10,3-5SEC
68
at
71
Vanderbilt
19-3,6-3SEC
1
2
F
Ole Miss
23
45
68
Vanderbilt
31
40
71
Men’s Basketball Late Comeback Push Narrowly Misses
1/31/2026 | Men's Basketball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A two-point game with just under a minute remaining following a second-half surge from Ole Miss came up just short, as Ole Miss fell 71-68 Saturday night in Memorial Gymnasium.
Both teams struggled to get going offensively early, but Vanderbilt (19-3, 6-3 SEC) would find itself in front 18-10 against Ole Miss (11-10, 3-5 SEC), headed to the second media timeout of the half.
The home team would increase its lead to as much as 13, however, a 9-0 run ending with just under three minutes before halftime made it a four-point game.
It was the Commodores that would lead at the half, 31-23.
In the second period, Ole Miss immediately got things going offensively as Travis Perry knocked down a corner three to put the team within five, 31-26.
The Commodores would eventually push their lead back up to 11, 51-40, after Tyler Tanner scored a fastbreak layup off an Ole Miss turnover with 11:46 to play.
Ole Miss continued to fight, as Ilias Kamardine converted on a baseline drive, drawing a foul, and adding the free throw to cut Vanderbilt's lead to 61-57.
Over the next 2:37, the lead would see-saw from four to six points for the home team. A trip to the free throw line for Storr would put the Rebels within two, 65-63, with three minutes left.
Following more back-and-forth, a massive three-pointer from Storr with just under a minute remaining set the score at 70-68 in favor of Vanderbilt, putting Ole Miss within striking distance.
With 0:15 remaining, AK Okereke went to the free-throw line for Vanderbilt. After making his first shot to put the Commodores up 71-68, Okereke's second free throw fell short, giving the Rebels a chance to tie the game.
Storr would put up a three-point try that missed but fell into the hands of Dia, who dribbled out to the left corner for a turnaround three-pointer that missed as the clock hit zero.
Up next, Ole Miss will head to Knoxville, Tennessee to face off against the Volunteers on February 3, in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center at 6 p.m. on ESPN2
For the latest news and updates regarding Ole Miss Men's Basketball, follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissMBB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Basketball and on Instagram at olemissmbb.
NOTABLES
Both teams struggled to get going offensively early, but Vanderbilt (19-3, 6-3 SEC) would find itself in front 18-10 against Ole Miss (11-10, 3-5 SEC), headed to the second media timeout of the half.
The home team would increase its lead to as much as 13, however, a 9-0 run ending with just under three minutes before halftime made it a four-point game.
It was the Commodores that would lead at the half, 31-23.
In the second period, Ole Miss immediately got things going offensively as Travis Perry knocked down a corner three to put the team within five, 31-26.
The Commodores would eventually push their lead back up to 11, 51-40, after Tyler Tanner scored a fastbreak layup off an Ole Miss turnover with 11:46 to play.
Ole Miss continued to fight, as Ilias Kamardine converted on a baseline drive, drawing a foul, and adding the free throw to cut Vanderbilt's lead to 61-57.
Over the next 2:37, the lead would see-saw from four to six points for the home team. A trip to the free throw line for Storr would put the Rebels within two, 65-63, with three minutes left.
Following more back-and-forth, a massive three-pointer from Storr with just under a minute remaining set the score at 70-68 in favor of Vanderbilt, putting Ole Miss within striking distance.
With 0:15 remaining, AK Okereke went to the free-throw line for Vanderbilt. After making his first shot to put the Commodores up 71-68, Okereke's second free throw fell short, giving the Rebels a chance to tie the game.
Storr would put up a three-point try that missed but fell into the hands of Dia, who dribbled out to the left corner for a turnaround three-pointer that missed as the clock hit zero.
Up next, Ole Miss will head to Knoxville, Tennessee to face off against the Volunteers on February 3, in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center at 6 p.m. on ESPN2
For the latest news and updates regarding Ole Miss Men's Basketball, follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissMBB, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Basketball and on Instagram at olemissmbb.
NOTABLES
- Entering tonight's game, Vanderbilt had the 11th-best offense in the NCAA, averaging 89.6 PPG. Ole Miss held them to 71 points.
- Among the nation's best in fewest turnovers per game, Ole Miss committed just two in the second half to help fuel their comeback.
- AJ Storr has scored in double figures in each of the last seven games, averaging 19.4 per game during that stretch.
Team Stats
UM
VU
FG%
.423
.436
3FG%
.267
.250
FT%
.800
.714
RB
33
33
TO
11
11
STL
6
7
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
PRESSER: Chris Beard (Florida Postgame)
Saturday, February 21
PRESSER: Chris Beard & Malik Dia (Florida Postgame)
Saturday, February 21
HIGHLIGHTS: Men's Basketball vs. Florida (2/21/26)
Saturday, February 21
PRESSER | Chris Beard - Postgame at Texas A&M (02-18-26)
Wednesday, February 18