Up-and-down Ole Miss hopes to show spirit vs. Alcorn State

Ole Miss will attempt to end 2025 in the win column when it hosts a struggling Alcorn State side on Monday in Oxford, Miss.

Monday's game could serve as a palate cleanser after Chris Beard's team was held to 26 first-half points in a 76-62 loss to North Carolina State in Greensboro, N.C. one week ago. The Rebels (7-5) are 5-1 at home and won two straight before that setback.

Travis Perry posted a game-high 21 points and Malik Dia added 20 points and 11 rebounds as the Rebels rallied in the second half, but the Rebels' other three starters combined to score just one point. Ole Miss collectively shot just 39.6% from the field and 26.7% from beyond the arc.

"I was disappointed in our approach to the game, disappointed in our first-half performance," Beard said. "But we did have some contributions in the second half from guys who really haven't had major opportunities yet. I enjoyed coaching the group we had in the second half. We had some spirit."

Meanwhile, the Braves (1-10) have exclusively played on the road this season, getting their sole win at Indiana State on Nov. 28. They are currently riding a brutal three-game losing skid where they have fallen 83-58 to Louisiana Tech, 132-68 to Iowa State and 113-56 to Baylor.

Alcorn State ranks dead-last in Division I by allowing 92.4 points per game, while only posting 65.5 on its own. In their most recent loss to Baylor, the Braves shot just 29.7% from the field.

"We're playing (better) teams," head coach Jake Morton said after the loss at Louisiana Tech. "So for me, obviously winning is at the top of the list. I want to win, but I've also got to see improvement. I'm looking for improvement. I'm looking for the steps that we're making."

--Field Level Media