NASHVILLE - Ole Miss guard Ilias Kamardine delivered a moment for the ages in the Rebels' thrilling SEC Tournament quarterfinal against Alabama.
With just under four minutes left on the clock and the shot clock winding down, Kamardine found himself in a tight spot in the corner. The No. 15 seed was clinging to a lead, and it was time for someone to step up.
Kamardine, cool under pressure, dribbled backward to carve out just enough space and launched a contested three-pointer as the buzzer sounded. The ball swished through the net, sending Ole Miss fans into a frenzy and putting the Rebels up by seven in what would become an 80-79 victory over the No. 2 seed Alabama.
"I turned away because it was on my right side," Kamardine recounted. "I closed my eyes, and then I saw everybody standing up."
This victory propels Ole Miss (15-19) into the semifinals, where they'll face the winner of the Oklahoma and Arkansas matchup. The Rebels are on a mission to make history as the first SEC team to win four games to reach the conference championship game, with an automatic NCAA Tournament bid on the line.
Kamardine, a dynamic first-year transfer from France, showcased his versatility by scoring 16 points on 7-for-15 shooting. His performance was a balanced mix of sharp perimeter shooting and crafty floaters, complemented by six rebounds and four assists, with just one turnover.
"I just tried to be aggressive and play my game," Kamardine explained. "Control the game and make the right play at the right moment."
Postgame, Ole Miss coach Chris Beard couldn’t hide his appreciation for Kamardine's clutch performance. During a postgame interview, Beard surprised Kamardine with a light-hearted kiss on the cheek, a testament to their camaraderie and the courage Kamardine displayed throughout the game.
"Ilias is a good player," Beard noted. "When you talk about really good players, they have so many things in their bag ... Ilias has about three shots that he can get off at any time."
As the Rebels continue their quest, Kamardine’s heroics will undoubtedly be a highlight of their journey.