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SEC MEN'S TOURNAMENT - 2ND ROUND - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN

Ole Miss defeats Missouri for spot in quarterfinals

2009 days ago
Associated Press
Photo: Ole Miss Athletics

Game Notes | Ole Miss Quotes | Missouri Quotes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Deandre Burnett scored 16 of his 23 points in the first half, and Mississippi beat 14th-seeded Missouri 86-74 Thursday night at the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

The Rebels (20-12), the six seed, won their fourth in five games trying to improve their postseason resume. They simply wore down Missouri a night after the Tigers upset Auburn to give one last victory to coach Kim Anderson.

Ole Miss traipsed to the free throw line early and often as three Tigers fouled out, finishing with more free throws (31 of 47) than Missouri made field goals (26 of 61). Sebastian Saiz, who had his SEC-best 20th double-double by halftime, finished with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Terence Davis added 19. Saiz tied the Ole Miss record for rebounds in an SEC Tournament game.

Missouri (8-24) finishes the season losing seven of eight.

Jordan Barnett, Terrence Phillips and Kevin Puryear each had 15 points for Missouri, and Cullen Vanleer had 10.

The Tigers used the 3-pointer to stay close early after hitting a season-high 16 3s against Auburn. The Tigers hit six of their first 12 but couldn't keep pace.

Early, Burnett knocked down all four of his 3s as the Rebels shot 7 of 13 outside the arc in the first half. That, and free throws kept the Rebels ahead before they got going in transition. The Rebels also took advantage of their depth with a 23-9 edge in bench scoring to lead by as much as 14 before taking a 46-36 lead into halftime.

Frankie Hughes, whose 3 forced overtime in the Tigers' tournament opener, pulled Missouri within 50-41 with a 3-pointer in the opening minutes of the second half. That was as close as the Tigers would get.

Breein Tyree, who finished with 11, pushed the Rebels' lead to 58-43 with 16:11 to go with a layup and back-to-back 3s. Ole Miss led by as much as 17 down the stretch.

Ole Miss faces No. 3 seed Arkansas in the quarterfinals Friday on SEC Network. The Rebels-Razorbacks matchup will begin 25 minutes after the conclusion of Game 9, which tips off at 7 p.m. ET.