Ole Miss Edges North Carolina in NCAA Thriller

Ole Miss Edges North Carolina in NCAA Thriller \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Ole Miss held off a furious North Carolina comeback to secure a 71-64 victory in the NCAA Tournament. Sean Pedulla’s clutch three-pointer with 52.8 seconds left sealed the Rebels’ win after nearly squandering a 22-point lead. Ole Miss now eyes its first Sweet 16 berth since 2001 with a matchup against Iowa State.

Ole Miss Edges North Carolina in NCAA Thriller Quick Looks:

• Ole Miss defeated North Carolina 71-64 in a tense finish.
• Sean Pedulla’s late three-pointer proved decisive with under a minute left.
• The Rebels nearly blew a 22-point second-half lead.
• No. 6 seed Ole Miss will face No. 3 Iowa State next.
• Ole Miss aims for its first Sweet 16 since 2001.
• Pedulla led Ole Miss with 20 points in the game.
• Dre Davis contributed 15 points; Jaemyn Brakefield added 12.
• North Carolina’s RJ Davis finished his college career with 2,725 points.
• UNC cut the lead to two late before falling short.
• A late 11-0 run nearly fueled a Tar Heels comeback.
• The Rebels’ free-throw shooting secured the final minutes.
• UNC’s Jae’lyn Withers left the game with a leg injury.
• ACC struggles continue, with only Duke advancing to the next round.
• Ole Miss returns to the NCAA Tournament spotlight after years of absence.

Deep Look

Ole Miss delivered one of the most thrilling victories in Friday’s NCAA Tournament action, surviving a relentless second-half rally from North Carolina to claim a 71-64 win. After building a seemingly insurmountable 22-point lead, the Rebels found themselves on the verge of collapse before Sean Pedulla’s clutch three-pointer with 52.8 seconds remaining sealed their path to the round of 32.

The Rebels, seeded No. 6 in the South Region, will now face No. 3 seed Iowa State on Sunday as they chase their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2001. It’s a remarkable resurgence for an Ole Miss team that hadn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2019 and hadn’t advanced beyond the round of 64 since 2013.

The first half of the game seemed like a dominant display from Ole Miss. The Rebels stormed out of the gate with aggressive defense and efficient shooting, holding North Carolina to just 30 points at halftime and building a commanding 50-30 lead early in the second half. The Rebels controlled the boards and capitalized on second-chance opportunities, frustrating the Tar Heels’ attempts to build momentum.

However, the game took a dramatic turn with just over 16 minutes remaining when North Carolina forward Jae’lyn Withers suffered a right leg injury on a drive to the basket. His departure appeared to galvanize the Tar Heels, who mounted a ferocious comeback led by senior guard RJ Davis.

North Carolina went on an 11-0 run, highlighted by a powerful one-handed dunk from Jalen Washington that cut Ole Miss’ lead to just four points with 5:07 left in the game. The Tar Heels continued to press, with Davis converting a three-point play with 1:09 remaining to make it a two-point game at 66-64.

RJ Davis, playing his final collegiate game, finished with 15 points, adding to his legacy as one of the greatest scorers in North Carolina history. His career point total of 2,725 ranks second only to Tyler Hansbrough and third in Atlantic Coast Conference history, trailing only Hansbrough and Duke’s JJ Redick. His presence on the court was pivotal in the Tar Heels’ near comeback, and his leadership was evident throughout the final stretch.

But just when it seemed that North Carolina might complete the comeback, Sean Pedulla silenced the rally with a dagger three-pointer — his team’s only successful three-point shot in the second half. That shot effectively broke North Carolina’s momentum and put Ole Miss back in control.

Ole Miss then closed out the game from the free-throw line, going 4-of-5 in the final minute. Pedulla led the Rebels with 20 points, while Dre Davis contributed 15 points and Jaemyn Brakefield added 12. The Rebels’ ability to stay composed under pressure, despite a second-half shooting slump, demonstrated their maturity and resilience.

For head coach Chris Beard, this victory marks another significant milestone in his first season with the program. Beard’s ability to refocus his team after surrendering such a large lead underscores his coaching acumen and sets the stage for what could be a deep tournament run.

While Ole Miss celebrates, North Carolina is left to ponder what might have been. After a dominant First Four performance against San Diego State, the Tar Heels came into this matchup with confidence but were unable to overcome their slow start. Ven-Allen Lubin contributed 14 points for UNC, and Jalen Washington’s late heroics almost brought them back.

The loss continues a difficult postseason for the ACC. Of the four teams that made the tournament from the conference, only Duke advanced to the second round. Louisville fell to Creighton, and Clemson suffered an upset loss to McNeese State, adding to the disappointment for the once-dominant basketball conference.

The road ahead doesn’t get any easier for Ole Miss. Iowa State, who demolished Lipscomb 82-55, presents a formidable challenge. Known for its stifling defense and fast-paced offense, Iowa State will test the Rebels’ ability to handle pressure and maintain consistency — particularly after Friday’s second-half struggles.

Nonetheless, Friday’s game showed that Ole Miss has both the talent and the grit to survive in tight tournament scenarios. Sean Pedulla’s leadership and clutch shooting could be the difference-maker in what’s shaping up to be a competitive and unpredictable South Region.

Looking ahead, the Rebels will need to tighten their second-half execution. Despite the victory, shooting just 1-of-7 from beyond the arc in the second half could prove costly against stronger opponents. The team will also need to build on its free-throw efficiency, as every possession will matter in the upcoming showdown with Iowa State.

For Ole Miss fans, Friday’s game provided not only a thrilling victory but also hope for a deep tournament run — something the program hasn’t experienced in over 20 years. With players like Pedulla, Davis, and Brakefield stepping up in crucial moments, the Rebels are well-positioned to continue their march through March Madness.

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