Tennessee Vols Defeat Ole Miss Rebels in Blowout Victory

Freshman wing Nate Ament scores 26 points in the second half to lead Tennessee to an 84-66 win over Ole Miss.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:31pm

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The No. 25 Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Ole Miss Rebels 84-66 on Tuesday night in Knoxville. The Vols trailed by one point at halftime but exploded for 58 points in the second half, led by a 26-point performance from freshman wing Nate Ament. Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard was ejected from the game after receiving two technical fouls.

Why it matters

This win marks Tennessee's fourth straight victory in SEC play, keeping them in contention for a top spot in the conference standings. The Vols' second-half surge and Ament's breakout performance are positive signs for a team looking to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Tennessee scored just 26 points in the first half but turned things around in the second half, outscoring Ole Miss 58-40. Nate Ament, a freshman wing, struggled in the first half but caught fire after halftime, scoring 26 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard was ejected from the game after receiving two technical fouls while arguing a no-call with the referees.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
  • Tennessee trailed by one point at halftime.

The players

Rick Barnes

The head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers basketball team.

Chris Beard

The head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels basketball team, who was ejected from the game.

Nate Ament

A freshman wing player for the Tennessee Volunteers, who scored 26 points in the second half to lead the Vols to victory.

JP Estrella

A Tennessee Volunteers player who was interviewed after the game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This game showcases the resilience and offensive firepower of the Tennessee Volunteers, who were able to overcome a slow start and pull away for a convincing victory over a conference rival. Nate Ament's breakout performance is a promising sign for the Vols as they look to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.