Rebels outlast Arkansas State in season opener

The Ole Miss basketball team was able outlast Arkansas State by a final score of 68-60 in the Rebels’ season opener Friday night at Tad Smith Coliseum.

Ole Miss was led by 26 points from senior Chris Warren on 9-of-15 shooting. 

Warren was able to extend his school record of consecutive games with a three-pointer made to 46 when he connected on a long-range triple with 4:30 to play.

 “(Warren) didn’t shoot the ball very well, but he was explosive to the basket,” Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said. “Once we got him some space he was hard to guard.”

The Rebels went into the locker room trailing 32-24 at half time. 

That eight-point deficit was Arkansas State’s largest lead of the second half. Following a Zach Graham three-pointer to open the second half, the Rebels went on a 17-8 run to regain the lead at 41-40 on a Trevor Gaskins put-back with 11:50 remaining in the game.

“We’ve got to get someone to step up and make a big shot when the game is on the line, “ Arkansas State coach John Brady said.

The Red Wolves were led by center Martavius Adams’ 14 points and eight rebounds. 

Murray State is up next for the Rebels on Wednesday in Oxford.

“Murray State is next, who returns six of eight players that had Butler on the ropes (in the second round of the NCAA Tournament) last season,” Kennedy said. “It’s a game that we can learn a lot from. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that there’s no such thing as a bad win. We’ll have to be better on Wednesday.”

Player of the Game: 

Trevor Gaskins: eight points, seven rebounds and two assists

Stat of the Game: 46; Warren extended his streak of consecutive games with a three-pointer made to 46 games.

The Game Was Over 

When: Warren connected on a 3-pointer with 4:30 to play giving Ole Miss a 58-50 lead.

Quotable: “For some reason we always come out not ready in the first half. We’ve got to come out ready to play, especially with this team (on Wednesday).” 

- Andy Kennedy