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With most everyone's attention focused on Saturday's SEC Championship game (and for good reason, mind you, the Sugar Bowl is a big deal) the Rebel roundballers went to UMass and stole an impressive neutral site victory. It marks Ole Miss' third win in a row and improved their record to 6-2 on the season.
Unfortunately, it is technically considered a "neutral site" game despite Ole Miss having to travel around 1,200 miles compared to the Minutemen's 25 miles. It doesn't make much sense, but I digress.
The game was deadlocked for most of the first half and UMass took a slim lead into the locker room. Then Stefan Moody happened.
The senior put the team on his back, after only six first half points, and put on a scoring clinic that ended with 30 points on 9-18 shooting. Moody also was 9-10 from the free throw line and added six assists to his impressive stat line. Moody's outstanding physical shape was evident in the second half when he was breaking the Minutemen's full court press on his own and was an absolute pest on the defensive end. He simply took over that basketball game.
Oh yeah, and he's also a pretty phenomenal dunker:
On top of Moody's big night, the Rebels had the athletic edge in the post and they took advantage. Sebastian Saiz continued his success and notched his third double/double of the year with his 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Saiz also got in on the dunk fest:
Anthony Perez also got in on the action with six points and eight boards on the night and Tomasz Gielo added eight points and seven rebounds.
Donte Clark did have an outstanding night for UMass from his guard spot (24 points and four assists) but the Minutemen didn't have enough offensive firepower to keep up with Moody and company in the second half.
The Rebels will take a small break as the team prepares to take finals (you know, student-athletes and stuff) but return to the hardwood on December, 12th in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to take on SEMO.