Tyree's 20 points paces Ole Miss past Louisiana Monroe

OXFORD, Miss. -- Breein Tyree scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers shots, and Mississippi placed three players in double figures Saturday to defeat Louisiana Monroe 83-60.

Blake Hinson scored 17 points for the Rebels (5-2), who have won four of their last five starts. Terence Davis scored 15 points and added a game-high eight rebounds for the Rebels.

"We're still a work in progress, but we held a good offensive team to 39 percent and that's really good," Ole Miss coach Kermit Davis said. "We also had 25 assists on 33 baskets and that's exciting. It's a big goal for us."

Travis Munnings led the Warhawks (3-4) with 17 points, who trailed 44-31 at halftime and never pulled within double digits in the second half. JD Williams scored 12 points and added a team-high six rebounds.

Louisiana Monroe struggled from the field, hitting 20 of 52 (39 percent), including 7 of 21 (33 percent) from 3-point range. The Warhawks were 13 of 19 (68 percent) from the free throw line and were outrebounded 41-24.

"We didn't win the toughness battle; credit Ole Miss," Louisiana Monroe coach Keith Richard said. "We had some good moments, but we didn't compete nearly enough in 40 minutes. But this was a good learning experience for us."

The Rebels finished 33 of 63 (52 percent) from the field, as Tyree and Hinson combined to hit 14 of 23. Ole Miss was 11 of 29 (38 percent) from the 3-point line, with Tyree and Hinson hitting four apiece.

Ole Miss was only 6 of 8 (75 percent) from the foul line, but in the past four contests, the Rebels are hitting 71 of 84 (85 percent).

BIG PICTURE

Louisiana Monroe: The Warhawks were picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt Conference preseason coaches poll after finishing 16-16 last season.

Munnings, a 6-foot-6 forward, showcased his all-conference form against the Rebels, but Louisiana Monroe will need more to challenge in the Sun Belt and looked tired after five consecutive road games.

"We've spent a month on the road against different teams and styles and that's good," Richard said. "We've had a chance to evaluate what we can and can't do and it will be great to get four games back home to see where we are."

Ole Miss: The Rebels were expected to win, taking 13 straight against Louisiana Monroe in the past 20 seasons. Any doubts were erased quickly as the Rebels were 9-of-12 shooting from the field to build a 21-9 lead in the first seven minutes.

Hinson, a freshman, had 14 points, three rebounds and three assists in 15 first half minutes.

"Hinson had four assists and only one turnover all night," Davis said. "He's just going to keep getting better. You can't beat him to the gym to work every day."

UP NEXT

Louisiana Monroe: The Warhawks, after a month of road games, will host Grambling on Dec. 11.

Ole Miss: The Rebels visit Illinois State on Saturday.