Georgia
Ole Miss
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (03/11/2026) — The Ole Miss Rebels built a commanding first-half lead and withstood a furious second-half rally from the Georgia Bulldogs to secure a 76-72 victory Wednesday in the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena.
Guard AJ Storr led a balanced Ole Miss attack with 19 points, supported by 17 from Malik Dia and 16 from Travis Perry. The Rebels shot a blistering 45% from three-point range to hold off a Georgia squad that fought back from a 17-point deficit to make it a one-possession game in the final minutes. Kanon Catchings paced the Bulldogs with a game-high-tying 19 points in the loss.
How It Happened
Ole Miss seized control from the opening tip, never trailing in the contest. Malik Dia opened the scoring with a turnaround jumper just 33 seconds into the game, setting a tone of offensive efficiency. The Rebels methodically built their advantage through sharp outside shooting, with AJ Storr connecting on a 27-foot three-pointer to push the lead to 14-8 just over eight minutes into the half.
The long-range assault continued as Ilias Kamardine and Travis Perry drained back-to-back threes, extending the margin to 25-14 with 5:15 remaining in the period. The Rebels' defense stifled Georgia, holding the Bulldogs to just 20 first-half points on dismal shooting. A floating jump shot from Storr just before the halftime buzzer sent Ole Miss into the locker room with a commanding 34-20 lead.
The Rebels appeared to put the game away early in the second half. Perry opened the period with another three-pointer, and a subsequent three from Dia at the 17:44 mark ballooned the lead to 43-24. Ole Miss maintained a comfortable cushion, leading 57-41 after a James Scott dunk with 10:15 left to play.
From there, Georgia mounted a spectacular comeback. Sparked by a desperate defense and timely shooting, the Bulldogs ripped off a 13-0 run over the next three minutes. A three-pointer from Kanon Catchings cut the deficit to 57-52, and a powerful dunk from Dylan James at the 7:35 mark pulled the Bulldogs within a single score at 57-54, electrifying the Georgia faithful in attendance.
Turning Point
With all momentum swinging toward the Bulldogs, Ole Miss guard Travis Perry delivered the game's decisive blow. As the Georgia defense scrambled, Perry calmly stepped into a deep 28-foot three-pointer with 7:16 on the clock. The shot snapped Georgia’s 13-0 run, pushed the lead back to six at 60-54, and crucially settled the Rebels' offense. The Bulldogs continued to fight, but Perry's clutch basket provided the necessary cushion for Ole Miss to hold on for the victory.
Star of the Game
While Perry hit the game's biggest shot, AJ Storr was the most consistent offensive force for the Rebels. The guard finished with a team-high 19 points while adding two rebounds and two assists. Storr was a factor from the start, scoring inside and out and making key plays to build the initial lead, including the critical basket to end the first half that gave Ole Miss a 14-point advantage.
What It Means
For the Ole Miss Rebels, the victory means survival and advancement in the SEC Tournament. By withstanding a significant comeback attempt from a conference rival, they demonstrated the poise needed for postseason basketball and kept their season alive. They will look to build on their hot three-point shooting (45%) in the next round.
The Georgia Bulldogs see their SEC Tournament run come to an end in heartbreaking fashion. Their second-half resilience, erasing a 17-point deficit to create a tense finish, showcased the team's fight. However, a poor shooting performance in the first half created a hole too deep to escape. The 19-point effort from Kanon Catchings provides a strong individual performance as the Bulldogs head into the offseason.