NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) 鈥� Mississippi had its third straight upset victory in three days Friday night, an over No. 15 and second-seeded Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinals.
What鈥檚 more impressive than the three wins over higher seeds is the fact that the 15th-seeded Rebels have not trailed in any of the three games. Mississippi beat Texas 76-66 in the first round and edged Georgia 76-72 on Thursday.
The Rebels held off a late Alabama charge, with the Crimson Tide unable to get a shot off on an inbound play with 0.1 seconds left. The worst-seeded team to ever advance to the semifinals, Mississippi will face No. 17 Arkansas on Saturday. in the final quarterfinal.
鈥淵eah, it鈥檚 just survive and advance,鈥� Rebels guard Patton Pinkins said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 look ahead, we take it one game at a time. Anybody can get hot in March. We鈥檙e just trying to keep that up for the next game.鈥�
Pinkins had 13 points against Alabama.
With a 15-19 record, Mississippi needs to win the SEC Tournament to get into the NCAA Tournament. The Rebels entered the tournament losing 12 of their final 13 regular-season games.
鈥淚 think finally we鈥檙e seeing the vision of our team,鈥� coach Chris Beard said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e playing really well right now. Out-rebounding the opponent, taking care of the ball, balanced scoring, timely execution, late shot clock. We鈥檙e just doing a lot of good things.鈥�
Not only are they playing well, the Rebels are having fun playing the role of spoiler. With the shot clock winding down late in the second half, Ilias Kamardine hit a clutch 3-pointer. Asked about it after the game, Kamardine and Beard had a little back and forth during the answer.
鈥淚 just watch the shot clock and I see two second remaining,鈥� said Kamardine, who 16 points. 鈥淭here is no way I don鈥檛 shoot the ball. I just shoot it. It went in. That鈥檚 good for us.鈥�
鈥淭hat鈥檚 good coaching,鈥� Beard added in a smiling Kamardine鈥檚 direction.
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