(BCSNN) — Ole Miss relied on a disruptive defensive effort and a late surge to defeat Texas 76–66 on Wednesday night in the First Round of the SEC Tournament at Bridgestone Arena.

With under 90 seconds remaining, Ilias Kamardine delivered the game‑sealing moment, converting a fast‑break euro‑step layup to put the Rebels ahead 72–63. Ole Miss (13–19, 4–14 SEC) never allowed Texas to get closer than three points the rest of the way.

The Rebels set the tone early with three steals and three blocks in the opening minutes, building a 5–0 lead. Texas (18–14, 9–9 SEC) briefly pulled within one possession midway through the first half, but Ole Miss responded with sustained defensive pressure, finishing the period with five blocks and eight steals. Malik Dia powered the offense with 17 first‑half points as the Rebels took a 41–30 lead into halftime.

Ole Miss maintained control for most of the second half, holding a steady five‑to‑10‑point margin. Texas made its final push with four minutes left when Jordan Pope hit a three to cut the deficit to 66–63. The Rebels answered immediately with a dunk from James Scott and a tipped‑in layup on the next possession, setting up Kamardine’s clinching basket.

Ole Miss shot 40 percent from the field and forced Texas into repeated mistakes, while the Longhorns struggled to generate consistent offense. The Rebels advance to face Georgia on Thursday, March 12, at 6 p.m. CT in the Second Round on SEC Network.