Rebels’ Sharp 2nd Half Leads Them Past Morehouse 90-66

Courtesy of Joshua McCoy / Ole Miss Athletics

As Ole Miss Basketball continues to tune up before the beginning of the regular season, the Rebels hosted Morehouse College for an exhibition game last night at the Pavilion. The Rebels handled the Maroon Tigers with ease, by the final score of 90-66.

Just a seven-point game at halftime, the Rebels came out strong in the second half, going on a 29-3 run early on to put the game out of reach. While this game may not have presented the Rebels with the type of completion they will face once the season gets underway, they handled their business and were able to get game experience that can’t be simulated in practice.

Five Rebels were able to score double digits as Andy Kennedy attempts to spread minutes to the entire roster. Junior New Mexico transfer, Neal Cullen, lead the Rebels in scoring with 19 points in 28 minutes. Minutes during these exhibition games became valuable opportunities to crack into the Rebel lineup this season, as Kennedy talked about during his press conference earlier this week.

Senior Sebastian Siaz led the Rebels in rebounds with 9, and while no Rebel had double digit boards, they managed to outbound Morehouse 45-29. The Rebels shot exactly 50 percent from the floor, and 41 percent from beyond the arc. With a shaky first half, the Rebels improved from a 35 percent shooting percentage to just under 70 percent in the second half.

The Rebels reliance on the 3 was apparent throughout the 2015-16 season, and with 29 3s attempted last night, it appears this year will be no different. The Rebels shot 7-21 from the 3 in the first half, but also had a much more efficient second half from 3 converting on five of their eight attempts.

The Rebels were able to make adjustments at the half and come out looking like an efficient and motivated second half team. They will have to work on starting strong with the regular season on the horizon, but this is a good start for Andy Kennedy and the Rebels. The regular season tips off on November 11 at the Pavilion against UT Martin.

Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com. 

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