The Memphis Tigers secured a commanding 87-70 victory over the No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday afternoon at FedExForum, delighting a home crowd of 15,643 during the "White Out" event. Ole Miss Head Coach Chris Beard said after the game it was Memphis' best performance of the season so far. Live coverage of the Memphis Tigers on 92.9 FM ESPN, Memphis' Sports Station.
Memphis (10-3) showcased a balanced offensive attack, with four players scoring in double figures. Colby Rogers led the team with a season-high 28 points, shooting 10-for-16 from the field and an impressive 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. PJ Haggerty contributed 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Moussa Cisse achieved a double-double against his former team, recording 13 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. Dain Dainja added 16 points, including 11 in the second half.
The Tigers dominated the game from the outset, leading for all but 13 seconds. They shot 47.5% from the field, connected on 7-of-19 three-pointers, and made 22-of-31 free throws. Memphis also controlled the boards, outrebounding Ole Miss 45-34, and matched their season high with nine blocked shots.
Ole Miss (11-2) struggled to find their rhythm, particularly from long range, shooting just 2-of-16 from three-point territory in the second half. Sean Pedulla led the Rebels with 13 points and four assists, while Jaylen Murray and Malik Dia added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
This victory marks Memphis' seventh win against an AP-ranked team over the past two seasons and their sixth home win over a ranked opponent under head coach Penny Hardaway. The Tigers will begin AAC play on January 2 against Florida Atlantic.