NASHVILLE — Freshman backup Amaree Abram scored a team-high 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting, Jaemyn Brakefield had 16 points, and Ole Miss beat South Carolina 67-61 on Wednesday night in the opening game of the Southeastern Conference tournament at Bridgestone Arena.
James White added 10 points and gathered 10 rebounds for Ole Miss, which had a 41-31 advantage on the glass. The Rebels shot 25-of-59 (42.4%) from the field, including 9-for-22 (40.9%) from 3-point range.
Greg Jackson II scored a game-high 24 points for the Gamecocks, while Meechie Johnson added 13 and Hayden Brown had 11.
As the No. 13 seed, Ole Miss (12-20) advances to face fifth-seeded, 17th-ranked Tennessee on Thursday afternoon in the second game of the second round.
South Carolina (11-21), the No. 12 seed, ended its first season under former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coach Lamont Paris with losses in seven of its final 10 games.