Ole Miss center Malik Dia recorded his second career double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in a tough 63-58 loss to St. John’s in Madison Square Garden. Photo courtesy of Ole Miss Athletics.
No. 7 Arizona 97, No. 22 Auburn 68 — Cat Fight Never Happened: Auburn led Arizona, 15-10, with 13:27 to play in the first half, but once Arizona hit a 12-0 run behind the post-play of Tobe Awaka and the Tigers were unable to match the Wildcats’ run. After Auburn guard Tahaad Pettiford scored on a layup to cut the Tigers’ deficit to 24-21, former Alabama guard Jaden Bradley knocked down a pair of jumpers, and Ivan Kharchenkov scored five points, which allowed Arizona to lead 44-32 at the break. The Wildcats built their biggest leads to 28 points twice in the second half on 12-0 and 13-0 runs.
Auburn ‘Bows Down’: Auburn never could take control, as Karchenkov and Koa Peat were a force inside. Peat led five Wildcats in double figures with 18 points as Arizona shot 61 percent from the field and enjoyed 21 points off of 15 Auburn turnovers.
Statistically Speaking: Pettiford led all scorers with 30 points by making 10-0f-19 baskets and five three-point shots in 39 minutes. Arizona outscored Auburn, 60-24, in the paint and 19-3 on the fast break in the Tigers’ first trip to McKale Center.
Auburn coach Steven Pearl on how scheduling this game was his own mistake, based on the previous schedule: “We did Vegas three games in three days. We come home, and we play a Wednesday night ACC/SEC Challenge game. We get done with that game at midnight. We have one day to prep, and that day we couldn’t do anything because we had guys who played heavy minutes.”
No. 14 Illinois 75, No. 13 Tennessee 62 — No Reservation for Vols in Music City Madness: Tennessee dropped its third game in a row as the Vols only shot 37 percent from the floor, were 6-of-20 from three, and missed ten free throws in what was a winnable game with Illinois. Tennessee dominated the boards, 46-31, but had problems stopping Illinois’ 4-guard offense around center Tomislav Ivisic, who joined Keaton Wagler with 16 points each.
Falling Orange: The Vols were 4-of-16 from the floor over the last 11:03, when Illini guard Kylan Boswell scored nine of his 15 points down the stretch as his layup gave Illinois a 63-52 lead with 6:55 remaining. Ja’Kobi Gillespie led Tennessee with 15 points as he has struggled from the floor over the last four games. In the losses to Kansas, Syracuse, and Illinois, the Vols committed 35 turnovers and shot only 30 percent from three.
Statistically Speaking: Illinois outscored Tennessee, 11-6 from the three-point line, while the Vols capitalized on the offensive glass in racking up 22 points off of 15 offensive rebounds, and they outscored the Illini, 24-13, from the bench.
Vols coach Rick Barnes talked about how Tennessee’s opponents have dictated a consistent high level of play: “We haven’t done that (played consistently) three games in a row now. We haven’t really done it since the Houston game, where we put together 40 minutes, but the competition that we’re playing right now, they’re going to take advantage of it if you don’t, and Illinois certainly did that.”
No. 23 St. John’s 63, Ole Miss 58 — Storm in the Mix: St. John’s led 19-15 with 9:34 remaining in the first half, but their defense allowed OM to make only 1-of-9 shots with five missed threes and an uncanny 0-of-5 from the line in building the lead to 31-16. Ole Miss fought back as center Malik Dia, who had his second double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds, scored four of Ole Miss’s last eight points in the lane, and the Rebs trailed, 33-25, at the half.
Falling Point: The Rebels had a 2-for-13 stretch in the second half, which allowed them to fall behind 51-37. Bryce Hopkins and Zuby Ejiofor were able to score on four straight possessions for the Red Storm before a three from forward Sadiku Ibine Ayo. OM crept back when Kezza Griffa and Ilias Kamardine consistently reached the line and helped to cut the Johnnies’ lead back to 55-51 at 2:55 at Madison Square Garden.
Statistically Speaking: Ole Miss held SJU to 1-of-6 from the field with six turnovers to outscore St. John’s, 21-12 over the last 7:55. Ejiofor’s 15 points and nine rebounds in 34 minutes led SJU. This game was a defensive battle between Chris Beard and legendary Rick Pitino, with two different defensive styles. St. John’s could pick and chose picked and choose their transition and outscored the Rebs, 13-0, off the feat break.
Ole Miss coach Chris Beard discusses the near-miss: “We had the pace where we needed to be successful. Offensively, we couldn’t manufacture enough. Give all the credit to St. John’s’ defense. That’s the best defense we’ve played against this year. Our guys played hard tonight. It’s something we can build on at Ole Miss.”