BLOG — The losing streak in the Southeastern Conference Tournament is officially over.Led by Chris Warren‘s 20-point effort, the Ole Miss Rebels won their first SEC Tournament game since the 2007 season Thursday evening with a 66-55 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome. The win not only gave Ole Miss 20 victories on the season, but it set up a meeting with No. 15 Kentucky in the second round on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
As good as Warren played for the Rebels, Terrance Henry supplied a much needed double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Reginald Buckner added 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 34 minutes of action.
Dundrecous Nelson was the fourth Rebel in double figures Thursday. He scored nine of his 10 points in the first half as he hit three 3-point field goals.
Ole Miss led South Carolina 30-26 at the half and then used an 11-1 run at the start of the second half to go back ahead by double digits. South Carolina (14-16 overall) was able to cut the Rebels’ lead to five (50-45) on two free throws by Sam Muldrow, but the Rebels answered with an 8-0 run that essentially allowed them to cruise from that point forward.
Friday’s matchup with the Wildcats will be the Rebels’ second of the season. Ole Miss beat UK 71-69 in the first matchup that was played at C.M. “Tad” Smith Coliseum. (March 10, 2011)
