Ole Miss
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Outlasts Ole Miss in 89-86 Overtime Thriller
OXFORD, Miss. (03/03/2026) — The Vanderbilt Commodores secured a critical road victory Tuesday night, battling past the Ole Miss Rebels for an 89-86 overtime win in a hard-fought Southeastern Conference matchup at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion.
In a game defined by runs and resilient responses, Vanderbilt overcame an early double-digit deficit to hand the Rebels a heartbreaking loss in front of a crowd of 7,300. The victory provides the Commodores with significant momentum as the regular season draws to a close, while the Rebels are left to lament a narrow defeat in a contest that saw numerous lead changes.
How It Happened
The Ole Miss Rebels stormed out of the gate, building a 15-3 lead within the first seven minutes as Vanderbilt struggled to find its offensive rhythm. The Rebels' defense was stifling early, contesting shots at the rim and capitalizing on Commodore turnovers.
However, Vanderbilt steadily chipped away at the lead. Sparked by relentless offensive pressure and by forcing Ole Miss into costly turnovers, the Commodores clawed their way back, briefly taking the lead late in the first half. Ole Miss responded with a late surge to carry a 37-33 advantage into the halftime break.
The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to build a substantial lead. The final minutes of regulation were particularly tense, as a crucial and-one layup by Malik Dia gave the Rebels a four-point cushion with just over a minute remaining. But the Commodores answered with consecutive baskets to tie the game at 74-74, ultimately forcing the extra period.
Turning Point
The pivotal moment came at the start of overtime. Vanderbilt immediately forced a turnover and converted it into a three-point play to take a 79-76 lead it would not relinquish. That sequence set the tone for the final five minutes, as the Commodores executed down the stretch and held off a final push from the Rebels to seal the victory. Ole Miss had a chance to tie the game with seconds remaining, but a final three-point attempt was off the mark.
Star of the Game
Sophomore guard Tyler Tanner was the undeniable hero for Vanderbilt, delivering a phenomenal performance with 34 points, including 10 of the Commodores' 13 points in overtime. His scoring was complemented by seven assists, five rebounds, and five steals, as he consistently made critical plays on both ends of the floor.
AK Okereke was a key contributor for the Commodores with 16 points, while Devin McGlockton provided a strong presence on the interior. For the Rebels, four players scored in double figures, led by freshman Patton Pinkins. Ilias Kamardine contributed 14 points, while James Scott added a powerful interior presence.
What It Means
For Vanderbilt, this gutsy road win is a significant boost to their resume as they head into the final games of the season. Defeating a conference rival in a hostile environment demonstrates the team's toughness and ability to win close games, which will be crucial for postseason positioning.
For Ole Miss, the loss is a devastating blow. Failing to protect their home court in a game they led for significant stretches is a missed opportunity. The Rebels will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for the upcoming SEC Tournament, where they will look to make a run and salvage their season.