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Holloway powers Ole Miss past Hoosiers in Puerto Rico Tip-off |
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Friday, 20 November 2009 |
For the Daily News
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Murphy Holloway scored a career-high 26 points and Ole Miss (3-0) gritted out an 89-71 win over the Indiana Hoosiers (2-1) in the first round of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off Thursday.
The Rebels had 12 blocks and eight steals in the first-round win and advance to play the winner of tonight’s Kansas State-Boston University matchup.
Holloway had seven rebounds to go with his career high in points, which surpassed his previous high of 18 set last year against Tennessee. Chris Warren helped with 16 points, while Eniel Polynice and Zach Graham chipped in 10 points apiece. Polynice dished out seven assists, and Reginald Buckner grabbed a season-high 12 rebounds.
The Rebels’ 12 blocked shots were one shy of a school record.
Indiana led 20-11 after the first six minutes of play before Ole Miss reeled off a 22-3 run that put the Rebels ahead 33-23 entering the final six minutes of the first half.
Sporting a 45-36 halftime lead, Ole Miss continued to get points in transition, especially off layups and chip ins from Holloway, who scored 19 points in the second half.
“I think our defensive intensity picked up tremendously,” Ole Miss head coach Andy Kennedy said. “We turned them over, which allowed us to get out in the open floor. We went a little smaller. They were pushing the ball up and down the floor. Tom is committed to playing up-tempo. You can tell your guys that, but it’s difficult to simulate the speed.
“I thought Jeremiah Rivers was outstanding at getting the ball right back through us, make or miss. As a result, when we would score, Indiana would turn right back around and have the ball back at the basket. We had some trouble with ball-screening action, which we adjusted to as well.”
The Rebels out-rebounded the Hoosiers 46-43 and scored 28 second-chance points to IU’s 15. Led by Graham’s 10 points, Ole Miss’ bench out-scored Indiana’s by a 25-9 margin.
“This has been a great experience to this point,” Kennedy said. “We’re excited to be here and be a part of this field. As every coach coming in, I’ve got more questions than answers and that’s why we’re here. I thought our guys responded to Indiana coming out and being aggressive, which you would hope an experienced team would do.”
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 21 November 2009 )
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