Ole Miss Hangs On To Beat South Carolina

(Ole Miss Athletics)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – Anthony Perez scored a career-high 22 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:02 remaining as Ole Miss erased a 12-point deficit and held on to defeat South Carolina 75-74 Saturday.

Marshall Henderson had 16 of his 19 points in the second half for the Rebels (12-5, 3-1 Southeastern Conference), who rallied after falling behind 39-27 early on the second half. Ole Miss still trailed 66-61 after Duane Notice’s two jumpers with four minutes left.

That’s when Henderson drove right of the lane for a basket and got fouled for a three-point play. Perez tied the game with two foul shots on Ole Miss’ next possession. Perez followed a minute later with a three to put the Rebels ahead for good, 71-68.

South Carolina (7-10, 0-4) closed to 75-74 and had possession with 1.8 seconds left, but Sindarius Thornwell’s 3-point heave was off the mark. Thornwell led the Gamecocks with 24 points.

Perez bettered his career mark of 14, set against Mississippi Valley State in November.

Henderson was held to 1-of-8 shooting in the opening half, yet made his points count – and put on a show – in the second half. When he hit the last of his three 3-pointers to put Ole Miss ahead 48-47, Henderson dragged his finger across the floor like a match on his way to the bench.

Jarvis Summers added 19 points for the Rebels.

Henderson had a 3-pointer early as the Rebels led 12-4 in the first six minutes. They were still ahead 18-12 on Summers’ basket when the Gamecocks found their game.

Michael Carrera had a three-point play and two foul shots as part of 12-1 run to move in front. The Gamecocks kept up the pace, especially on defense as Ole Miss missed five shots and committed seven of its 11 first-half turnovers during a six-minute stretch.

By then, South Carolina had built a double-digit lead and led 37-27 at halftime.

Henderson missed his final seven shots of the half and was 1 of 5 on 3-pointers the first 20 minutes.