WATCH/ICYMI: Murrell, Rebels all smiles after dominating win over in-state rival MSU

“There’s nothing like a rivalry game. I’ve grown up with this rivalry my whole life and I’ve been on both sides of it, which is unique. Sure am glad to be on this side. MSU has a great chance at going to the NCAA Tournament. They’re well-coached, tough. It was a great game, great crowd, and I appreciate everybody that came.”

Ole Miss men’s basketball head coach Kermit Davis was all smiles after the Rebels knocked off in-state rival Mississippi State Saturday night 82-72. Matthew Murrell’s 31 points led a spectacular all-around team effort from the Rebels. Ole Miss (9-5, 1-1 SEC) was the beneficiary of several superb individual performances, but it was the dynamite shooting of Murrell that sparked the Rebels early and helped them keep pace over a talented Mississippi State (10-4, 1-1 SEC) squad that managed to stay competitive despite going down by as many as 20 following a torrid 1st half from Ole Miss.

This was the 265th meeting all-time between the Rebels and Bulldogs, the oldest rivalry in the SEC that dates back to 1914. With the win, Ole Miss improves to 86-45 all-time against State in Oxford. Ole Miss head coach Kermit Davis, Rebel center Nysier Brooks, and guard Matthew Murrell all discussed the victory postgame. Video is courtesy of Ole Miss Sports Productions.