In a hard-fought SEC showdown, Ole Miss couldn't quite keep pace with No. 11 Florida, falling short at the SJB Pavilion.
The Rebels came out swinging, with Malik Dia setting the tone early by sinking a pair of tough mid-range jumpers, giving Ole Miss a quick 6-3 edge. Moments later, AJ Storr nailed another mid-range shot, putting the Rebels ahead 12-10 with just under 15 minutes left in the first half.
However, Florida showed why they're a top-ranked team, responding with a run that saw them surge ahead by as much as 14 points before heading into halftime with a 43-32 lead.
Ilias Kamardine tried to spark a comeback for Ole Miss, narrowing the gap to seven with a smooth floater just over a minute into the second half. But the Gators quickly countered with a 5-0 burst, reestablishing a double-digit lead that they maintained until the final buzzer.
Dia was a standout for the Rebels, pouring in 24 points, marking his seventh 20-plus point game of the season and third in a row. Kamardine contributed 14 points, while Pinkins added 10 to the tally.
Looking ahead, Ole Miss is set to face LSU at home on February 25 at 8 p.m., with the game airing on the SEC Network.
Key Takeaways:
- Ole Miss forced Florida into 19 turnovers, matching their season high and setting a new mark for SEC play.
- Malik Dia's scoring streak continues, with three consecutive games of 20 points or more, including a career-high 32 against Mississippi State.
- The Rebels' defense was active, notching 10 or more steals for the fifth time this season.
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