In front of a raucous crowd in Oxford, Mississippi, Mississippi State traveled into a hornets’ nest to take on the hometown Ole Miss Rebels in round one of a two-part series this season. Tuesday night was a battle of heavy-weight programs looking to prove they belong in the conversation of Southeastern Conference contention. As hours turned into seconds, the environment at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion was unbeatable, adding drama to the anticipated matchup between Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Club Red filled the student section to the brim, setting the scene for a special night of basketball in Mississippi.

Mississippi State opened the game by winning the tip-off and building a quick lead over the Ole Miss Rebels. However, as Mississippi State would extend the lead to seven points, Matthew Murrell would respond for the Ole Miss Rebels, keeping them within striking distance of the visiting Mississippi State Bulldogs. As the first half expired, Jaylen Murray would drill a deep three-point shot to tie the game at 39 for the Rebels, giving Ole Miss life at the break.

At the half, Josh Hubbard of Mississippi State led either team in scoring with 16 points. For Ole Miss, Matthew Murrell finished the half with 11 points.

Ole Miss opened the second half with a bit of a run, racing out to a 45-39 lead over the visiting Mississippi State Bulldogs. Tolu Smith would break the Ole Miss run with two free throws for Mississippi State, cutting the Rebels lead to 45-41. Jaemyn Brakefield would respond for the Rebels with a monster three-pointer, followed by another from TJ Caldwell to make it a ten-point 51-41 Ole Miss lead at the under-16 media timeout. Tolu Smith would return to the line, knocking down a free throw to bring the Ole Miss lead back to single digits at nine. At the under-12 media timeout, Ole Miss held on to a ten-point lead over Mississippi State. At the under-8 media timeout, Ole Miss would hold on to dear life to a 71-66 lead over Mississippi State. At the final media timeout of the game, Ole Miss led the Mississippi State Bulldogs 74-73. With 1:15 on the clock, Ole Miss managed to stay ahead of Mississippi State with an 82-80. Missed throws from Cameron Matthews of Mississippi State sealed the deal for the Rebels.

Ole Miss and Mississippi State would continue to throw haymakers as the game progressed. Missed free throws, foul trouble, and a lack of offensive firepower doomed the Bulldogs, as Ole Miss was just too much for the visitors from Starkville, Mississippi.

Ole Miss remains undefeated at home as they prepare to host the Auburn Tigers on Saturday night.

Mississippi State will hit the road again on Saturday night as they travel to Alabama to take on the Crimson Tide.