The game came down to the final 7.4 seconds when Trevon Brazile was pushed in the back while trying to pull in an offensive rebound. With the game tied at 80, Brazile went to the free throw line and missed both shots. Ole Miss got the ball and raced down the court where Pedulla stepped into the game winner allowing the Rebels to advance to Friday facing No. 1 Auburn. Arkansas (20-13) will now await until Selection Sunday to see if they have done enough to get into the NCAA Tournament with most feeling they are locks to get in. Arkansas Assistant Chin Coleman thinks so.
"I think we’ve done enough right things to deserve to be in the (NCAA) Tournament," Coleman said. "We’re playing well right now and shown resiliency. Hopefully they call us Sunday for how we fought and the resiliency we’ve shown."
There was eight lead changes in the game. D.J. Wagner had given Arkansas an 80-77 lead with 29 seconds left. However, Ole Miss got a basket by Dre Davis 20 seconds left in the game plus he was fouled by Brazile. Davis tied the game with the made free throw.
Ole Miss held a 42-27 lead with 1:25 remaining in the first half. However, Arkansas went on a 7-0 run to end the first half. Jonas Aidoo hit two free throws, Karter Knox knocked down a 3-pointer and then Brazile scored with 26 seconds remaining before halftime.
Brazile also scored the first points on the second half. Ole Miss maintained a small lead in the second half until Brazile hit a 3-pointer with 12:13 left in the game for a 53-51 lead. After Davon Barnes tied the game at 53 the Hogs went on an 8-0 run for a 61-53 lead with 9:35 remaining in the game. Billy Richmond hit two free throws, Jonas Aidoo a field goal, Knox a trey and Richmond another free throw.
The Rebels then went on a 11-2 run to regain the lead at 64-63 with 6:09 remaining. Aidoo fouled out with 4:44 remaining in the game. Zvonimir Ivisic, who injured his hand in the win over South Carolina on Wednesday, was limited to just eight minutes and didn't score.
Aidoo topped Arkansas with 17 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Brazile added 15 points and 11 rebounds. Richmond had 15 points and four boards. Knox was next with 14 points, three rebounds and four assists. Johnell "Nelly" Davis had 10 points and four steals. Wagner had nine points, four rebounds and four assists.
Malik Dia had 19 points and eight rebounds to lead Ole Miss. Jaylen Murray had 17 point and five assists, Matthew Murrell 12 points, Barnes 11 and Pedulla 10. Pedulla shot seven 3s and the only one he made was the game winner.
Ole Miss (22-10) now will face No. 1 seed Auburn on Friday at noon.