In a thrilling game in Milwaukee, Sean Pedulla played a crucial role in leading Ole Miss to a significant victory over North Carolina, marking the Rebels’ first NCAA Tournament win in ten years. Despite watching a monumental 22-point lead shrink, Pedulla remained steadfast, hitting a vital three-pointer with just under a minute left on the clock, which solidified Ole Miss’s 71-64 triumph.
Pedulla, who tallied 20 points, expressed his confidence in the moment. “I shot it with confidence, and the rest was in God’s hands,” he said. Ole Miss, now boasting a record of 23-11, is keen on advancing to the Sweet 16 when they face Iowa State on Sunday. This exciting performance comes after a five-year hiatus from tournament success for the Rebels, who last tasted victory in 2015.
Head coach Chris Beard, who has previously led Texas Tech to the NCAA championship game, took the opportunity to counter a recent comment by an analyst who labeled his team “frauds”. “I didn’t see anything about our team today that looked like there was any fraud in our program,” Beard asserted firmly.
The game was not without its challenges, as North Carolina pushed back fiercely. Tar Heels player RJ Davis made significant plays to narrow the score to just two points late in the game. However, Pedulla’s clutch shot, paired with a pair of free throws in the final seconds, ultimately sealed the win for Ole Miss.
The loss for North Carolina, finishing their season at 23-14, added to a disappointing week for the Atlantic Coast Conference, which struggled across the board. Only Duke emerged to the next round, while other teams like Louisville and Clemson faced early exits from the tournament.
In reflection, RJ Davis, a senior addressing his farewell, looked back on his time at North Carolina with gratitude. “The past five years have been the greatest five years of my life. It was bigger than basketball,” he shared.
As Ole Miss prepares for the next challenge, they’ll do so with renewed purpose and determination, aiming to continue their successful campaign in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
