Ole Miss Rebels Men's Basketball Narrowly Escapes Detroit Mercy Titans To Remain Undefeated

The Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team improved to 3-0 following a Tuesday night victory over the Detroit Mercy Titans.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team got the job done on the hardwood versus the Detroit Mercy Titans on Tuesday night, winning 70-69 in The Sandy and John Black Pavilion to move to 3-0 in Chris Beard's first season with the program.

It was the first-ever meeting between Ole Miss and Detroit Mercy, and the Titans certainly left the Rebels with something to remember them by in a hard-fought game of hoops. This was another rough outing for the Rebels on both sides of the floor, but they managed to keep themselves in the game thanks to some scrappy offense. 

Ole Miss started the game hot offensively, getting out to a 10-2 lead in the first five minutes of play, but the lead quickly diminished, and the Titans stayed on the Rebels' heels for the remainder of the first half. Fortunately for the Rebels, Ole Miss was able to separate thanks to a 12-point half from guard Matthew Murrell and entered the locker room with a 34-31 lead over Detroit Mercy.

The Titans came to play, as they were eager to pick up their first win of the 2023-24 season after losing their last two games by 30+ points. 

Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball guard Matthew Murrell on the court vs. the Texas A&M Aggies (2022-23). 

The Rebels started the second half sluggish, however, and allowed the Titans to take the lead in the opening minutes. The Rebels battled back in a game that went down to the wire, but this team is clearly going through some early growing pains under Beard. 

Ole Miss shot 45 percent from the field and 50 from beyond the arc, while Detroit Mercy shot percentages of 48 and 40, respectively. Murrell finished second on the team with 17 points.

Former Saint Peter's transfer Jaylen Murray led the way for the Rebels with 22 points, shooting 3 for 6 from the three-point line. 

Rebels Basketball Announces Throwback Game at Tad Smith Coliseum

Ole Miss is now 3-0 entering its Friday night matchup versus the Sam Houston Bearkats. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. CT in The C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum for the Rebels' first-ever Throwback Game.