James Minzesheimer
The Ole Miss basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak with a 86-60 rout of Vanderbilt on Saturday at The Pavilion.
All five starters scored in double digits for the Rebels, and it was the rare occasion where Breein Tyree did not lead in scoring with every other starter scoring more points than him.
Devontae Shuler finished with 18 points and K.J. Buffen finished with 17. Blake Hinson had a solid game with 13, Khadim Sy had 12 and Tyree finished with 11.
“It was (our most complete game offensively) just the way the ball moved,” head coach Kermit Davis said after the victory. “Breein only played 30 minutes. The bench played really well.”
The Rebels started off hot against what has been an unlucky Vanderbilt team this year. It seemed as if there was a game plan to feed Sy on the opening possessions, resulting in the big man scoring six of the first eight points. This focus on interior was able to open up other guys for threes and midrange jumpers.
Some interesting coaching decisions were present in the first half. Instead of turning to Dude Collum to play minutes when Sy was on the bench, Davis opted to use Sammy Hunter who has seen a reduction of his role as the season has progressed.
The Rebels were able to close out the first half leading 43-27. But, Vandy was still strong and present as they had shown a proficiency from the three-point line knocking down five, including a stint where they hit four in a row.
Vandy came out of half time firing, getting the deficit down to 12, but Ole Miss quickly fought to bring the lead back above 15.
The Rebels were able to put a cork in Vanderbilt’s three-point shower, and only allowed one in the second half. While shutting down the three-point line on defense, the Rebels took advantage of it on offense by knocking down six en route to a 26-point win.
Coming out of this one, the Rebels are fighting for some sense of dignity and pride in order to finish out the season well and put themselves in a place to fight in the SEC tournament.
With March Madness out of sight for the Rebels, it seems that Davis is using these last couple games as a way to gauge some guys for the future.
The Rebels will host Missouri on Wednesday at 8 p.m. and finish the regular season in Starkville with a matchup against Mississippi State on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
