NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Mississippi held off a late Alabama rally to win 80-79 in a Southeastern Conference tournament men’s basketball game Friday at Bridgestone Arena. The Rebels led by six at halftime and maintained a narrow advantage throughout the second half. The Crimson Tide had a chance to win in the final seconds but could not convert. The result avenged a regular-season loss for Mississippi, which improved to 15-19. Alabama, which entered as a heavy favorite, fell to 23-9. Both teams scored 34 points in the paint in the tightly contested matchup.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a stunning upset that defied both recent history and pregame projections, the Mississippi Rebels edged the Alabama Crimson Tide 80-79 in a Southeastern Conference tournament thriller Friday night at Bridgestone Arena. The victory, sealed by a defensive stand in the final second, avenged a 19-point regular-season loss to Alabama just a month prior and propelled a Rebels squad that entered the game six games below .500 into the next round. Alabama, a heavy favorite projected by analytics to win with an 88.4% probability and installed as a 10.5-point favorite, saw its season end in heartbreaking fashion. The game was a tale of two halves, with Mississippi building a cushion early and Alabama mounting a furious comeback that fell just short. The Rebels came out scorching, hitting their first two 3-point attempts from Malik Dia and racing to an early lead. They maintained an efficient offensive attack throughout the first half, shooting well from the field and getting balanced scoring. A key sequence saw AJ Storr draw a foul on a 3-point attempt and convert all three free throws, followed by a Patton Pinkins 3-pointer, to help Mississippi establish control. Despite 18 first-half points from Alabama’s Aden Holloway, including a pair of early 3-pointers, the Crimson Tide struggled to contain Mississippi’s rhythm. The Rebels took a 47-41 lead into halftime, a significant advantage given the game’s eventual one-point margin. Alabama emerged from the break with renewed purpose, largely fueled by the spectacular play of guard Labaron Philon. The Mobile, Alabama, native took over the game, scoring 28 points and dishing out four assists. His driving layups, clutch 3-pointers, and playmaking brought the Crimson Tide back. A Philon-assisted dunk by Aiden Sherrell gave Alabama a 66-62 lead with just over six minutes to play, capping a surge that seemed to shift momentum permanently toward the Tide. But the Rebels, who had shown resilience in close games throughout the season, refused to fold. Ilias Kamardine of Marseille, France, answered with a critical 3-pointer, part of his 16-point, four-assist night. The teams traded blows in a tense final five minutes, with neither able to gain more than a one-possession advantage. The most important sequence of the game, the decisive moment upon which the result turned, occurred in the final 13 seconds. With Alabama clinging to a 79-77 lead, Mississippi’s AJ Storr fouled Labaron Philon, sending the Crimson Tide’s leading scorer to the line for two shots. Philon, who had been brilliant, calmly sank both free throws to extend the lead to four points. Needing a quick score, Mississippi inbounded to Kamardine, who drove and hit a tough turnaround jumper to cut the deficit to 79-77 with eight seconds left. Alabama called a timeout to advance the ball. On the ensuing inbounds play, the Rebels immediately fouled Houston Mallette, sending him to the line for a one-and-one opportunity with a chance to ice the game. Mallette missed the front end, and Mississippi’s James Scott secured the defensive rebound with six seconds left. Without a timeout, the Rebels pushed the ball upcourt. Travis Perry found Ilias Kamardine on the wing, and the guard drove into the lane. His floating jumper rattled in and out, but James Scott, following the play, grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled on the putback attempt with one second on the clock. With the game in the balance, Scott missed the first free throw but made the second, tying the game at 79-79 and setting the stage for a chaotic finish. Alabama called its final timeout. On the inbounds play from under their own basket with one second left, the Tide attempted a lob pass near the rim for Aiden Sherrell. James Scott, positioned perfectly, leaped and blocked Sherrell’s shot attempt. The ball caromed to the floor as the horn sounded, sending the Rebel bench into a frenzy and ending Alabama’s season in devastating fashion. Beyond Philon’s 28 for Alabama, Aden Holloway added 18 points. For Mississippi, the balanced attack was key. AJ Storr led with 17 points, while Kamardine scored 16, Pinkins added 13, and Dia contributed 14 points and several key defensive plays. The loss dropped Alabama to 23-9 overall, a disappointing early exit from the conference tournament. Mississippi improved to 15-19, continuing an unexpected postseason run that has now seen them win three games in three days after closing the regular season with a losing record. The Rebels will advance to face the winner of the Tennessee-Arkansas game in the tournament semifinals.

Preview: Mississippi Rebels vs. Alabama Crimson Tide NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — The eighth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide enter the postseason as heavy favorites against the Mississippi Rebels when the Southeastern Conference rivals meet in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday at Bridgestone Arena. The Crimson Tide (23-8), projected as a seed in most NCAA Tournament forecasts, are riding high after closing the regular season with a 96-84 victory over Auburn on March 7. They are installed as 10.5-point favorites against the Rebels (14-19), with an over/under of 163.5 points. National Statistical’s ELO system gives Alabama an 88.4% probability to win. Alabama’s high-octane offense, which leads the nation in scoring, will be orchestrated by guard Labaron Philon. The sophomore is averaging 21.8 points over his last six games, including a 35-point, 7-assist performance in a double-overtime win over Arkansas on Feb. 18. In the teams’ previous meeting on Feb. 11, Alabama dominated in Oxford, Miss., winning 93-74. Mississippi, which must win the SEC Tournament to extend its season, arrives with momentum from a 76-72 road victory at Georgia on Thursday. The Rebels have won two straight but are just 3-7 in their last 10 games. The Rebels will rely on the hot hand of guard AJ Storr, who scored 19 points in 26 minutes against Georgia. Storr has been a consistent scorer, averaging 18.3 points over his last seven contests. He poured in 26 points in a win at Auburn on Feb. 28. For Alabama, containing Storr and building an early lead will be key to avoiding a postseason upset. For Mississippi, slowing the Tide’s relentless pace and replicating their recent defensive effort against Georgia is the daunting task. The winner advances in the SEC Tournament bracket, with Alabama looking to solidify its NCAA seeding and Mississippi fighting to keep its season alive.