Alabama
Ole Miss
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (03/12/2026) — The Ole Miss Rebels survived a furious second-half rally from the Alabama Crimson Tide to secure an 80-79 victory Thursday in a tense SEC Tournament showdown at Bridgestone Arena. After building a double-digit lead, Ole Miss withstood a spectacular 28-point performance from Alabama's Labaron Philon Jr. to advance.
AJ Storr led a balanced Ole Miss attack with 17 points, while the Rebels controlled the glass with a 42-36 rebounding advantage, paced by James Scott's 10 boards.
How It Happened
The game began as a high-octane three-point shootout. Ole Miss forward Malik Dia set the tone immediately, sinking back-to-back three-pointers in the opening minute to give the Rebels a 6-0 lead. Alabama guard Aden Holloway answered with a pair of his own, and the fast pace was established.
Ole Miss created separation midway through the first half with a critical 9-0 run. The sequence was capped by a Patton Pinkins three-pointer at the 11:40 mark, extending the Rebels' lead to 25-16. The Rebels maintained control for the remainder of the half, with dunks from James Scott and efficient scoring keeping Alabama at bay. The Crimson Tide stayed within striking distance thanks to the heroics of Labaron Philon Jr., who drained a 29-foot three-pointer with 6:34 on the clock. Ole Miss took a 47-41 lead into the locker room.
The Rebels appeared to seize complete control early in the second half. Guard Eduardo Klafke connected on consecutive three-pointers, the second of which pushed the Ole Miss lead to its largest margin at 63-50 with 13:19 remaining. A dunk by Malik Dia at the 10:35 mark kept the lead at 12 points, 65-53.
From there, Alabama mounted its comeback. Philon Jr. took over, scoring from all over the floor. He hit a three to cut the deficit to 66-58, and a dunk by Aiden Sherrell moments later made it a four-point game. Philon Jr.'s three-pointer with 4:51 left pulled the Crimson Tide within four again at 75-71, electrifying the pro-Alabama sections of the crowd. Despite the relentless pressure, Ole Miss made just enough plays to hold on for the one-point win.
Turning Point
With Alabama surging and the Ole Miss lead shrinking, guard Ilias Kamardine delivered the game's most critical shot. With 3:47 left in regulation, Kamardine calmly knocked down a 25-foot three-pointer to push the Rebels' advantage back to seven at 78-71. The basket temporarily halted Alabama's momentum and provided the essential cushion Ole Miss needed to absorb the Crimson Tide's final scoring possessions and escape with the victory.
Star of the Game
Despite being on the losing side, Alabama's Labaron Philon Jr. was the undeniable star of the contest. The guard put the Crimson Tide on his back, pouring in a game-high 28 points while also dishing out a team-high 4 assists. He was relentless in the second half, repeatedly hitting tough shots to pull his team back from a double-digit deficit. His performance kept Alabama in the game until the final buzzer.
What It Means
For the Ole Miss Rebels, the victory is a significant step in the SEC Tournament, keeping their hopes for a deep run alive. Proving they can win a tight, physical game against a quality opponent builds crucial momentum for the next round. The Rebels' balanced scoring and rebounding edge were key factors they will look to replicate as the tournament continues.
For the Alabama Crimson Tide, the result is a tough, one-point exit from the conference tournament. The loss ends their bid for an SEC Tournament crown, and they will now await their seeding and destination for the NCAA Tournament. While the early exit is a disappointment, the determined comeback effort showed the team's resilience under pressure.