Malik Dia exploded for a season-high 27 points and grabbed seven rebounds, AJ Storr added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists and Ole Miss went on to an 80-66 neutral-site victory over Alabama A&M Wednesday night in Tupelo, Miss.
The Rebels (7-4), who have posted back-to-back wins following a four-game losing streak, had a wire-to-wire victory. They shot 54% from the field and had a clear inside advantage with a 34-18 edge in points in the paint.
Ole Miss jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead on 3-pointers by Dia and Travis Perry and started to pull away with a 10-0 run midway through the first half.
The stretch featured a fast-break dunk by Corey Chest and a 3-pointer by Storr. Ilias Kamardine’s jumper at the 8:22 mark capped the run, giving Ole Miss a 30-17 lead.
The Rebels made their first five 3-pointers of the night and were leading 44-29 at half, shooting 65.4% from the floor and 60% from 3-point range. Dia scored 17 points in 16 first-half minutes, knocking down 3 of 4 shots from outside the arc. Dia entered the game 4-of-17 from 3-point range in the first 10 games.
Ole Miss followed a similar script in the second half. The Rebels went on an early 11-2 run to build a 55-33 lead with just under 16 minutes left. That early spurt was highlighted by a two-handed slam by Chest on a fast-break play at the 17:50 mark.
Alabama A&M (6-5) showed some life down the stretch, going on a 12-2 run to pull within 69-57 with just over three minutes left. The Bulldogs were led by Sami Pissis and Koron Davis each tallying 17 points. Pissis had five of Alabama A&M’s nine assists Kintavious Dozier added 15 and a team-high five rebounds.
Ole Miss has another neutral-site game up next vs. North Carolina State on Sunday in Greensboro, N.C. while Alabama A&M hosts Chattanooga on Sunday.
–Field Level Media
