Ole Miss beats North Carolina 71-64 in NCAA Tournament

Ole Miss secured a hard-fought win over North Carolina, beating the Tar Heels 71-64 in the NCAA Tournament. Sean Pedulla played a key role, hitting a crucial 3-pointer with just under a minute left. This victory marks Ole Miss's first NCAA Tournament win in ten years. The Rebels had a strong start, taking a 22-point lead. However, the Tar Heels made a strong comeback, closing the gap to just two points in the final minutes. "We needed that bucket," Pedulla said about his important shot. With this win, Ole Miss advances to face Iowa State in the next round. North Carolina fought hard to stay in the game. RJ Davis contributed significantly, bringing the score to 66-64 before Pedulla responded with his big three-pointer. The Rebels struggled with their shooting in the second half, making only one out of seven 3-point attempts. Ole Miss coach Chris Beard noted the performance of his team, calling out critics who doubted them. The Tar Heels had moments of momentum during the game but couldn't finish the comeback. Jae’lyn Withers, a starting player for UNC, was injured during the second half, which hurt their chances. RJ Davis wrapped up his college career with a remarkable total of 2,725 points, ranking second in North Carolina history. The loss added to a tough week for the Atlantic Coast Conference, as only Duke advanced past the first round among its teams.