Ole Miss Secures 71-64 Win Over North Carolina in NCAA Tournament

The Rebels advanced to the second round for the first time since 2015, fending off a late Tar Heels rally led by RJ Davis.

Ole Miss built a 22-point lead early in the second half but held off North Carolina's comeback to win 71-64 in the NCAA Tournament's first round.
Sean Pedulla led Ole Miss with 20 points, including a decisive 3-pointer in the final minute of the game.
North Carolina's RJ Davis scored 15 points in his final collegiate game, concluding his career as the second-highest scorer in program history with 2,725 points.
The Rebels shot 51.9% from the field in the first half, including 53.8% from 3-point range, while the Tar Heels struggled, making only 38.1% of their field goals and 20.8% of their 3-point attempts.
This victory marks Ole Miss' first NCAA Tournament win since 2015, while North Carolina's loss highlights broader challenges for the ACC, with only one of its teams advancing to the second round.