Sean Pedulla Leads Ole Miss to NCAA Tournament Victory Over North Carolina

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Sean Pedulla’s late-game heroics propelled Ole Miss men’s basketball to a 71-64 victory over North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

Despite the Rebels seeing a 22-point lead shrink to just two points in the final minutes, Pedulla stepped up when it mattered most. He sank a crucial three-pointer with just over 52 seconds left on the clock, helping to secure the win and advance Ole Miss to the second round for the first time since 2013.

“We were on a huge run and needed that bucket,” Pedulla said of his game-winning shot. “I shot it with confidence, and the rest was in God’s hands.” The senior transfer guard from Virginia Tech finished the game with a team-high 20 points, shooting 50% from beyond the arc.

Ole Miss coach Chris Beard acknowledged the importance of the win, which marked the Rebels’ first NCAA Tournament victory since 2015. “I didn’t see anything about our team today that looked like there was any fraud in our program,” Beard said, referencing a recent comment from a media analyst.

In addition to Pedulla, the Rebels had strong contributions from Dre Davis, who added 15 points, and Jaemyn Brakefield, who scored 12. The team’s resilience was crucial, especially as North Carolina fought back from a significant deficit to make it a competitive match.

“The first half was one of our best halves of the year,” Beard noted. “But give North Carolina credit; we knew their comeback was coming.” North Carolina’s RJ Davis, who finished the game with 15 points, helped fuel the Tar Heels’ second-half resurgence, bringing them to within two points of Ole Miss late in the game.

With the win, Ole Miss improved to 23-11, and the Rebels will now face No. 3 seed Iowa State (25-9) in the second round on Sunday. Iowa State defeated Lipscomb 82-55 in their opening matchup.

“It’s special,” Pedulla said of the team’s success. “I love it for the Ole Miss fans and our family and friends, but most of all for this group of guys that I go to battle with every single day.”

The Rebels, who feature a veteran roster, hope to use their experience to further their march in the tournament. As the momentum builds, Pedulla’s clutch shooting could prove pivotal for Ole Miss in their quest for a Sweet 16 appearance.