Xzayvier Brown’s 23 points lead Oklahoma over Ole Miss, 86-70 in SEC opener
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Xzayvier Brown scored 23 points while Tae Davis and Nijel Pack each added 15 for Oklahoma in an 86-70 win over Mississippi on Saturday in an SEC opener for both teams.
Brown shot 8 of 11 from the field (4 of 5 from 3-point range) for the Sooners (11-3, 1-0 SEC). Oklahoma has won its last five games and nine of its previous 10.
The Rebels (8-6, 0-1) were held scoreless for over seven and a half minutes in the first half after missing 12 consecutive field goals, which led to a 12-2 run for Oklahoma and a 35-26 lead. Ole Miss clawed back, though, going into halftime down just two, 43-41.
Mohamed Wague had 11 of his 15 rebounds in the first half and finished with 10 points. Koul Atak added 14 points for Oklahoma.
The Sooners shot 52% (31 of 60) from the field compared to the Rebels’ 38% (23 of 61).
Patton Pinkins led Ole Miss in scoring with a career-high 25 points. Malik Dia added 17.
Up next
Ole Miss: Hosts Arkansas on Jan. 7.
Oklahoma: Visits Mississippi State on Jan. 7.
___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball