NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In a thrilling finish, Sean Pedulla nailed a deep 3-pointer with just 1.3 seconds on the clock, securing an 83-80 win for No. 8 seed Ole Miss over ninth-seeded Arkansas during Thursday’s SEC Tournament second round.
The drama unfolded as Arkansas’ Trevon Brazile stood at the free-throw line with 7.4 seconds to go after being fouled while pursuing an offensive rebound. Unfortunately for Arkansas, Brazile missed both free throws. Dre Davis seized the defensive rebound and sent it up court to Pedulla. Pedulla, from far beyond the arc, sank the decisive 3-pointer. Arkansas’ Billy Richmond III had a last-ditch opportunity from midcourt, but his shot ricocheted off the backboard and rim.
Notably, this was Pedulla’s only successful 3-pointer out of seven attempts in the game. Arkansas hit 21 of their 32 free-throw attempts.
Advancing to the quarterfinals on Friday, Ole Miss (22-10) is set to face off against top-seeded Auburn.
Contributing significantly to Ole Miss’s victory, Malik Dia scored 19 points alongside eight rebounds. Jaylen Murray also had a strong performance, adding 17 points, while Pedulla ended with 10 points, hitting 4 out of 12 from the field.
For Arkansas (20-13), Jonas Aidoo had a notable game, scoring 17 points and earning eight rebounds before fouling out with 4:44 left in the matchup. Brazile contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds, and both Richmond and Karter Knox added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Arkansas found themselves trailing 42-27 with only 1:25 remaining in the first half, but they turned the tide with a 34-11 surge, securing a 61-53 lead with 9:35 left in the second half.
In the tense final minutes, Knox and Richmond combined to convert six consecutive free throws, pushing Arkansas into a 78-77 lead with 1:23 to play. Pedulla’s initial 3-point shot missed, but Dia snagged an offensive rebound, giving Ole Miss another chance. Pedulla was then stripped by Arkansas guard Johnell Davis, who called a timeout with 50.5 seconds remaining.
The action continued as D.J. Wagner drained a fade-away shot from the left side, putting Arkansas ahead 80-77 with 29.6 seconds left. However, Dre Davis responded with a three-point play, tying the game with 20.7 seconds left, setting the stage for Pedulla’s dramatic game-winning shot.
