Tyree scores 31 as Ole Miss routs Georgia

Published 3:45 pm Saturday, February 9, 2019

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Breein Tyree’s hot-scoring streak has fueled Ole Miss’ recovery from a four-game losing streak.

Georgia is in dire need of a similar boost after an ugly loss led first-year coach Tom Crean to say he was embarrassed and needed to apologize to former coaches and players who were watching.

Tyree scored 31 points, his fifth straight game with at least 20, and Ole Miss beat Georgia 80-64 on Saturday, giving the struggling Bulldogs their fourth straight loss.

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Ole Miss (16-7, 6-4 Southeastern Conference) leaned heavily on Tyree, who matched his career scoring high. The junior guard reached 20 points, scoring on a drive about seven minutes into the second half, before any teammate was in double figures.

“When I have that much space, it’s hard to stay in front of me,” Tyree said. “… I took 22 shots but don’t think I took too many jump shots.”

The Rebels have recovered from a four-game losing streak with two straight wins.

Rayshaun Hammonds scored 10 points before fouling out with about five minutes remaining for Georgia (10-13, 1-9). The Bulldogs have lost eight of their last nine games.

More than 90 former Georgia players and coaches attended the game on Lettermen’s Day.

“I’m embarrassed right now to be honest with you,” Crean said. “The worst loss you take is when you’ve got lettermen and former coaches in the stands. I apologize to them, I really do, because I want them to walk out of here feeling like they really see growth and progress and at times today it didn’t look like that.”

Hammonds hit two of Georgia’s four early 3-pointers as the Bulldogs led 18-8. Georgia, hurt by persistent ball-handling woes and unable to find consistent scoring closer to the basket, couldn’t keep the lead.

Georgia took its last lead at 28-27 on a 3-pointer by Teshaun Hightower. Ole Miss scored the next 14 points. Hinson started the run by hitting back-to-back 3-pointers.

Crean said his team’s inability to answer the Rebels’ run was “disheartening.”

Tyree continued his hot scoring streak after averaging 22.3 points in his last four games.

Tyree sank a fallback jumper and added a buzzer-beating shot that stood up on a long video review by the officials during the Rebels’ 14-0 run. Ole Miss led 45-33 at halftime and kept the lead in double figures most of the second half.

Jordan Harris and Tyree Crump also had 10 points for Georgia.