NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Rayshaun Hammonds had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Georgia shot 55 percent from the field to beat Ole Miss 81-63 in Wednesday night’s opener of the Southeastern Conference Tournament.

Jordan Harris added 21 points and Sahvir Wheeler 15 for the 13th-seeded Bulldogs (16-16), who never trailed and led by 17 early in the second half. They shot 56 percent in the first half and made nine of their first 14 shots after halftime to halt a two-game slide that ended the regular season.

Georgia also made 7 of 18 from 3-point range against No. 12 seed Ole Miss to end a three-game series losing streak to the Rebels. Hammonds made 9 of 13 from the field and 2 of 3 from beyond the arc for his seventh 20-point game this season and second in four contests. Harris shot 8 of 11 overall and made 3 of 4 from long range.

Breein Tyree scored 18 points and Devontae Shuler 17 for Ole Miss (15-17), which got within 66-57 with six minutes remaining before Georgia extended the lead to double digits.

The Rebels shot 42 percent, including just 2-of-15 from 3-point range, and were edged 33-32 on the boards.