Heartbreaking Loss: #4 Vols Fall 78-76 to Ole Miss – A Must-Read Recap for Tennessee Fans!

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Tennessee men’s basketball team faced a tough challenge on the road, falling to Ole Miss 78-76 on Wednesday night. This loss ended the Volunteers’ four-game winning streak and left them with a record of 24-6 overall and 11-6 in the SEC.

Despite leading by nine points in the first half and by seven with just under 11 minutes left, Tennessee couldn’t maintain control of the game. Senior guard Jordan Gainey was the standout performer for the Volunteers, scoring 17 points.

The first half saw Tennessee play strong defense, keeping Ole Miss without a field goal for over four minutes. After a brief scoring drought from the Rebels, fifth-year guard Chaz Lanier hit a big three-pointer to push Tennessee’s lead to nine points at 29-20 with about six minutes to go. Ole Miss then surged back with an impressive 11-1 run, briefly taking the lead before Tennessee pulled ahead again to end the half at 41-36.

In the second half, Felix Okpara opened the scoring for Tennessee with an early three-pointer, extending the lead to eight. But Ole Miss quickly bounced back, tying the game at 44 just minutes later.

The game continued to see-saw back and forth. Tennessee regained a seven-point lead but could not keep the Rebels down. Ole Miss took the lead for the first time in the second half with just over six minutes remaining. Gainey responded with five quick points, but it was not enough to secure a win.

With the clock winding down, Gainey tied the game at 74 with a tough four-point play. However, Ole Miss’s Jaemyn Brakefield regained the lead with a layup in the dying seconds. Tennessee had one last chance to tie but missed the shot at the buzzer.

Gainey’s 17 points came from shooting 4-of-9 from beyond the arc, marking his best performance this season. Lanier added 15 points, while Okpara contributed 13 points and led in rebounds with seven. Senior guard Zakai Zeigler had an outstanding night with eight points and a career-high 15 assists, setting a remarkable record in Tennessee history.

On the opposing side, Brakefield finished with 19 points, scoring all of them in the second half. Senior guard Dre Davis also shined for Ole Miss, pulling down 10 rebounds.

Tennessee’s defense limited Ole Miss’ leading scorer, senior guard Sean Pedulla, to just seven points on poor shooting, but the Rebels capitalized on their offensive rebounds, maintaining a solid edge in fast-break points and the paint.

The Volunteers’ season will conclude with a game against South Carolina on Saturday, where they will celebrate their seniors. It’s a final push as they prepare for the postseason ahead.

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