OXFORD, Miss.
— In a solid performance, Sean Padilla contributed 19 of his total 27 points during the first half, helping No. 24 Mississippi secure a 64-54 victory against South Alabama on Tuesday evening.
Jaemyn Brakefield added 14 points to the scoreboard for Ole Miss (3-0), while Malik Dia collected a game-high 13 rebounds. The Rebels managed to take a comfortable 38-26 lead going into halftime.
For South Alabama (1-2), Judah Brown was the leading scorer with 16 points, complemented by Myles Corey, who chipped in 14 points.
The Jaguars made a late charge, narrowing the gap to 55-52 with under four minutes remaining. However, Jaylen Murray, Brakefield, and Padilla each hit a three-pointer consecutively, sealing the game for the Rebels.
Notably absent from the game was Matthew Murrell, a three-year starter at shooting guard, who sat out due to concerns regarding his lower back.
**Key Takeaways**
South Alabama: Under coach Richie Riley, the Jaguars have maintained a .500 or better record for the past six seasons. However, they now face the challenge of integrating eight new transfers as they prepare for the Sun Belt Conference competition.
Ole Miss: This particular game was themed as “Throwback at the Tad Smith Pad,” a nod to their former on-campus arena that holds 7,500 fans in a cozy, circular design. Chris Beard’s team reminded everyone why the Rebels historically dominate at home, even in this nostalgic yet somewhat outdated facility.
**Defining Moment**
Near the end of the first half, Ole Miss broke a 24-24 tie by going on a significant 14-2 run, establishing a 38-26 lead at halftime. Padilla led this momentum shift with two consecutive three-pointers, ensuring the Rebels would not trail again.
**Notable Stat**
The Rebels showcased their three-point shooting ability, finishing 13-of-38 from beyond the arc, which translates to 34%. Padilla led the way with a notable 7-of-16 shooting from deep. In contrast, Ole Miss struggled overall with a field goal percentage of 32%, making only 21 of their 64 attempts.
**Looking Ahead**
South Alabama is set to host Mercer this coming Saturday afternoon, while Ole Miss will play against Colorado State at a neutral site in Southaven on the same day.