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Ole Miss guard Sean Medulla (3) passes as he is chased by Illinois’ Tre White (22) in an exhibition game at the Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Ole Miss’ Malik Did (0) reacts after making a three pointer against Illinois in an exhibition game at the Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Ole Miss’ Jaylen Murray (5) knocks the ball away from Illinois’ Kasparov Jakucionis (32) in an exhibition game at the Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Ole Miss’ Jaemyn Brakefield (4) scores against Illinois in an exhibition game at the Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Ole Miss’ Dre Davis (14) scores over Illinois forward Ben Humrichous (3) in an exhibition game at the Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Ole Miss’ Dre Davis (14) dribbles against Illinois in an exhibition game at the Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Ole Miss’ Dre Davis (14) shoots against Illinois’ Tomislav Ivisic (13) and Jake Davis (15) in an exhibition game at the Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

Ole Miss’ Dre Davis (14) shoots against Illinois’ Jake Davis (15) in an exhibition game at the Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. (©Bruce Newman)

By Ole Miss Sports

Ole Miss won over Illinois in a charity exhibition game on Sunday, winning 91-74. Net proceeds from ticket sales will benefit CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of North Mississippi, which helps advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in proceedings through youth courts.

The Rebels made their first five shots to take a quick 13-7 lead, including three pointers by Sean Pedulla, Jaylen Murray, and Malik Dia to start the game.

Ole Miss would eventually lead 51-35 at halftime.

After the Illini cut the Ole Miss lead to 14, the Rebels responded with a strong 9-0 run into the first media stop of the second half, up 62-39. A later run from Illinois was broken up by a smooth turnaround jumper from Dia, setting the score at 68-50 with just under 12 minutes left on the clock.

Freshman forward John Bol would convert a steal from Murray into two points on a fastbreak to give Ole Miss their largest lead of the game at 26 with just under four minutes to go.

Dia paced the team with 18 points, going 7-8 from the field including a 3-3 performance from three. The transfer from Belmont also added three steals on the defensive end. Brakefield chipped in 15 points and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds. Also scoring in double figures were Dre Davis with 13 points and Murrell with 11 points.

The Illini were led in scoring by Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn with 15.

Ole Miss begins its regular season schedule at home on Monday, November 4 with a 7:30 p.m. game against Long Island.