'My Time!' Ole Miss Guards TJ Caldwell, Jaylen Murray Fuel Win vs. Mississippi State

The Ole Miss Rebels captured a huge win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Tuesday night, and a large part of the credit goes to their guard play.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss Rebels captured a thrilling 86-82 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Tuesday night, and two players in particular helped fuel the rivalry victory.

Guards Jaylen Murray and TJ Caldwell were made available to the media following the win, and they both eclipsed double-digit point totals against the Bulldogs. Murray's 21 points was a team high, and Caldwell provided 18 points off the bench.

Tuesday night's game was big for the NCAA Tournament hopes for both Mississippi teams, and the energy was palpable in front of the largest crowd ever at the SJB Pavilion (10,630). 

Murray is a native of the Bronx, and he played for Saint Peter's before arriving in Oxford. Tuesday night was his first experience in a rivalry game with this much energy, and it's a game he will never forget.

"First time playing in this type of environment and rivalry game, it was fun," Murray said postgame. "It was fun playing out there. I feel like the students, the whole crowd in general, they put a lot of energy into the game, and we were feeding off of it."

TJ Caldwell / © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Caldwell, a sophomore, had been looking for a breakout performance like this, and he finally found it against the Bulldogs. Head coach Chris Beard mentioned that prior to the Rebels' game last week against the Arkansas Razorbacks, the guard "had a different look in his eye," potentially signifying a heater like this one on the horizon.

Caldwell would sustain an injury early in the game against the Hogs and depart the action, but he found his groove a week later.

"I mean, just throughout the season, I've been continuing to work, keeping my head down, staying together with the team," Caldwell said. "When it's my time, it's my time, and that was obviously tonight."

Ole Miss Wins Electric Rivalry Game vs. Mississippi State at Home

With guard play like this, Ole Miss is now the winner of three straight games, but that streak and a perfect record at home will be put to the test on Saturday when the Rebels host the No. 16 Auburn Tigers.

Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on SEC Network.