FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Andy Kennedy has enjoyed coaching in Bud Walton Arena more than most.
The Ole Miss men’s basketball coach continued his mastery at Arkansas on Saturday night, as Stefan Moody had 18 points to lead five players in double figures in Ole Miss’ 96-82 victory against No. 19 Arkansas.
Ole Miss (11-6, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) has won seven of its last eight games against Arkansas, and Kennedy is 5-3 in his career in Fayetteville.
The latest win came in Ole Miss’ first game on the road since a crushing overtime loss at Kentucky. Much like in Rupp Arena, Ole Miss looked comfortable in the hostile environment — shooting a season-high 56.4 percent while ending Arkansas’ 16-game home winning streak.
“I do think our guys get excited to play here,” Kennedy said. “Because of the fandom, and because of the energy that is in the building. I think it does give you an extra push.”
Kennedy is 11-4 in his career against the Razorbacks (13-4, 2-2), who have lost two straight.
Bobby Portis had 23 points and 10 rebounds to lead Arkansas, while Michael Qualls and Ky Madden had 22 each, but the Razorbacks were unable to overcome a 15-point first-half deficit in their first loss at home since dropping a game against Missouri last season.
“Ole Miss did a good job of attacking us, and they took control of the game early in the first half,” Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said. “In conference play, you’ve got to bring it and Ole Miss did something I didn’t think they would, especially here. But they came in and they stole one.”
Ole Miss had several chances to put away the No. 1 Wildcats two weeks ago, but they were rarely challenged on Saturday.
As it did for most of the game at Kentucky, Ole Miss played like a team very comfortable on the first in the first half — shooting a season-best 74.1 percent (20 of 27) from the field while taking a 52-40 halftime lead.
The Rebels hit eight of their first nine shots, and they hit 5 of 6 3-pointers in the half — finishing 8 of 15 overall from behind the arc.
Moody put Ole Miss up 27-12 after a first-half 3-pointer, and the Rebels’ lead was never less than eight points in the second half. All nine players scored for Ole Miss. Jarvis Summers had 17 points in front of a season-high 18,352 in Bud Walton Arena.
“It’s a pleasure to coach in this environment,” Kennedy said. “We knew they were going to make a run at us; our guys were able to sustain it.”
Sebastian Saiz had 12 points and LaDarius White 10, while Dwight Coleby had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Rebels.
Arkansas had won seven straight before a loss at Tennessee earlier this week, but now it has lost two straight for the second time this season.
“It’s hard to win a basketball game when they only miss seven shots in the first half,” Qualls said. “That’s ridiculous. Like I said, it was one of those nights.”
n Auburn 71, South Carolina 68: At Auburn, Alabama, KT Harrell scored 24 points and Cinmeon Bowers recorded his SEC-leading 11th double-double of the season as Auburn defeated South Carolina on Saturday night.
Bowers had 10 points and 10 rebounds — his third double-double in four SEC games — and Auburn (10-7, 2-2) improved to 9-1 at home.
“That’s probably the loudest it’s been since I’ve been here,” Harrell said. “When you have that type of crowd and that type of energy, it makes you feel like you can’t lose.”
Coach Bruce Pearl said his team’s performance at the line — where Auburn hit 26 of 33 and the Gamecocks made 8 of 15 — was the difference.
“We did a great job converting at the foul line tonight,” Pearl said. “I’m really proud of our team and it doesn’t happen without a sellout crowd.”
Antoine Mason scored 10 of his 14 points in the first half and the Tigers took a 39-29 lead into halftime.
South Carolina (10-6, 1-3) scored the first seven points of the second half and tied the game with 12 minutes remaining on a Laimonas Chatkevicius.
“It was South Carolina’s offensive execution to start the second half and it was our not having the same energy,” Pearl said. “The crowd was still coming back from the concession stand and we weren’t as sharp.”
The Gamecocks used a 9-0 run to grab a 58-53 lead with 4:43 left, but the Tigers responded with a 12-1 run to take the lead for good.
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