The University of Mississippi Athletics
Thursday, March 12
Nashville, Tenn.
6 p.m.
Ole Miss
14-19,4-14SEC
76
vs
72
Georgia
22-10,10-8SEC
1st half1
2nd half2
FinalF
Ole Miss
34
42
76
Georgia
20
52
72
Men’s Basketball Tops Georgia to Move to Quarterfinals at SEC Tournament
3/12/2026 | Men's Basketball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A one-possession game after a second-half comeback from Georgia, the Ole Miss men's basketball team rallied late to secure its second win at the 2026 SEC Tournament, defeating the Bulldogs 76-72 on Thursday night in Bridgestone Arena. The Rebels are now lined up for a quarterfinal battle against the tournament's two seed, No. 15 Alabama on Friday evening.
With five seconds left, a dunk by Georgia made it a two-point game, leading to a timeout by the Bulldogs. After catching the inbound pass and drawing a foul, Kezza Giffa connected on a free throw, making it 74-71 with three seconds to play.
An Ole Miss foul on the ensuing possession sent the Bulldogs to the line, where they made the first shot before missing the second. Travis Perry was able to run down a clutch defensive rebound, allowing him to seal the game at the charity stripe.
Ole Miss (14-19, 4-14 SEC) managed to get out in front 9-5 through the first five minutes of play.
Georgia (22-10, 10-8 SEC) would cut the lead to two, 14-12, before Ilias Kamardine stopped Georgia's advance, responding with a three-pointer under the 10-minute mark to put them up five.
From there, the Rebels' defense would thwart the Bulldogs' attempts to mount a comeback, as the Rebels ended the half holding the Bulldogs to 20 points, the fewest they have scored in a first half this season.
Defense wasn't the only thing going for Ole Miss, as they ended the half with a fastbreak from AJ Storr to go up 14, 34-20, at halftime.
In the second period, the Rebels came out firing early as they hit four threes through the first six minutes to go up 53-32.
Despite the hot start, Georgia stormed back to cut Ole Miss's lead to five, 57-52, with under nine minutes on the clock. On the Bulldogs' following possession, they would score a drop-off dunk to get within one possession.
Travis Perry helped the Rebels respond with a three-pointer to put Ole Miss back up six, 60-54 at the 7:16 mark.
Ole Miss would remain in front over the next four minutes of play, with them leading 66-61 after Eduardo Klafke hit a step-back midrange jumper with just over three minutes to go.
They would hold on to advance to the quarters of the SEC Tournament for the second year in a row, earning two victories at the event for the first time since the Ole Miss title run in 2013.
The Rebels will now face No. 15 Alabama on Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
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
With five seconds left, a dunk by Georgia made it a two-point game, leading to a timeout by the Bulldogs. After catching the inbound pass and drawing a foul, Kezza Giffa connected on a free throw, making it 74-71 with three seconds to play.
An Ole Miss foul on the ensuing possession sent the Bulldogs to the line, where they made the first shot before missing the second. Travis Perry was able to run down a clutch defensive rebound, allowing him to seal the game at the charity stripe.
Ole Miss (14-19, 4-14 SEC) managed to get out in front 9-5 through the first five minutes of play.
Georgia (22-10, 10-8 SEC) would cut the lead to two, 14-12, before Ilias Kamardine stopped Georgia's advance, responding with a three-pointer under the 10-minute mark to put them up five.
From there, the Rebels' defense would thwart the Bulldogs' attempts to mount a comeback, as the Rebels ended the half holding the Bulldogs to 20 points, the fewest they have scored in a first half this season.
Defense wasn't the only thing going for Ole Miss, as they ended the half with a fastbreak from AJ Storr to go up 14, 34-20, at halftime.
In the second period, the Rebels came out firing early as they hit four threes through the first six minutes to go up 53-32.
Despite the hot start, Georgia stormed back to cut Ole Miss's lead to five, 57-52, with under nine minutes on the clock. On the Bulldogs' following possession, they would score a drop-off dunk to get within one possession.
Travis Perry helped the Rebels respond with a three-pointer to put Ole Miss back up six, 60-54 at the 7:16 mark.
Ole Miss would remain in front over the next four minutes of play, with them leading 66-61 after Eduardo Klafke hit a step-back midrange jumper with just over three minutes to go.
They would hold on to advance to the quarters of the SEC Tournament for the second year in a row, earning two victories at the event for the first time since the Ole Miss title run in 2013.
The Rebels will now face No. 15 Alabama on Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena. The game will be televised on the SEC Network.
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
- While Georgia entered the night as the third-highest scoring offense in the nation, Ole Miss held them to their lowest point total and field goal percentage in a first half this year.
- Malik Dia finished with 17 points and is now averaging 19.9 points per game over the last nine contests.
- James Scott pulled in a season-high 13 rebounds, recording three blocks on the defensive end for the sixth time this year.
- Ilias Kamardine helped fuel the strong defensive showing with four steals, a new season-high.
- Ole Miss has yet to trail in each of their first two games at the SEC Tournament.
Team Stats
UM
UG
FG%
.450
.364
3FG%
.450
.237
FT%
.722
.600
RB
38
42
TO
15
11
STL
8
11
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
4
3FGM
4
FTM
4
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballG
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