Thrilling Showdown: Ole Miss Stuns No. 4 Alabama as No. 5 Florida Faces Defeat in Action-Packed Men’s Hoops Clash!

Tuesday evening showcased a crowded schedule of men’s basketball, marked by two upsets involving top-5 teams in the SEC, as Ole Miss defeated No. 4 Alabama and Missouri narrowly triumphed over No. 5 Florida. Here’s a recap of the events.

Ole Miss stuns No. 4 Alabama, 74-64

No. 21 Ole Miss achieved a notable victory on Tuesday night, overcoming No. 4 Alabama 74-64 on the road, marking the Tide’s first SEC defeat of the season. Driven by center Malik Dia, who recorded a double-double with 23 points and 19 rebounds, the Rebels maintained control of the game in the final moments.

After a competitive first half, Alabama led by a narrow 36-32 margin at halftime, but Ole Miss surged in the second half. The Rebels took advantage of Alabama’s struggles with ball control, forcing 21 turnovers and transforming them into 19 points. Sean Pedulla contributed 12 points and four assists, while Matthew Murrell added 11 points, including two crucial three-pointers during a pivotal run in the second half.

Despite a high-scoring offense, Alabama had difficulty establishing its rhythm, managing only 25% shooting from long range. While Aden Holloway scored 15 points and Mark Sears added 11, the Crimson Tide was unable to recover from their turnover issues. Grant Nelson finished the game with nine points and eight rebounds but missed critical free throws late in the game.

This victory represented a landmark achievement for Ole Miss, marking the school’s first-ever road win against a top-5 opponent. With a record of 15-2 overall and 4-0 in SEC play, Ole Miss remains undefeated in conference competition and solidifies its position as a serious title contender.

Missouri surprises No. 5 Florida in nail-biter

Missouri celebrated a significant victory on Tuesday night, defeating No. 5 Florida 83-82 in Gainesville, handing the Gators their second SEC loss of the season. Caleb Grill led the Tigers with 22 points, including six three-pointers, as Mizzou (14-3, 3-1 SEC) resisted multiple comeback attempts by Florida in the second half.

The Tigers launched an aggressive start, scoring 50 points in the first half while connecting on 63.6% of their shots from the field, establishing a 16-point lead at halftime. Grill’s early flurry from the perimeter enabled Missouri to seize control, while Mark Mitchell contributed 15 points and eight rebounds to bolster the Tigers’ offensive efforts.

Florida (15-2, 2-2 SEC) rallied after the break, powered by Walter Clayton Jr.’s game-high 28 points. A series of well-timed three-pointers and second-chance points narrowed the gap to as little as three with under four minutes remaining. Despite this, Missouri’s Tamar Bates and Trent Pierce executed crucial plays late in the game, with Pierce’s dunk and corner three providing enough cushion to repel the Gators.

Although they were out-rebounded 37-36 and managed only 62.1% from the free-throw line, Missouri’s defense forced 13 turnovers, with 12 of them being steals, tipping the game in their favor.

This win signifies Missouri’s second triumph over a top-five opponent this season, following their victory against then-No. 1 Kansas. It also marks the Tigers’ first-ever 3-1 start in SEC play in school history.