Warren leads Mississippi over SE Louisiana 68-59

OXFORD, Miss. – Chris Warren scored 22 points and dished six assists as Mississippi shook off a slow start to beat Southeastern Louisiana 68-59 on Sunday night.

Zach Graham scored 14 points while Reginald Buckner added 12 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.

Ole Miss (11-3) trailed 31-27 at halftime, and didn't take the lead for good until Graham's jumper pushed the Rebels ahead 47-46 with 10:11 remaining. It was the first two points of a 13-0 run that buried the Lions, who went scoreless for nearly six minutes.

Warren scored six points during the run. The 5-foot-10 senior scored 15 of his points in the second half, finishing 7 of 15 from the field, including 3 of 7 from 3-point range and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line.

Ole Miss shot 48.2 percent from the field (27 of 56) and held Southeastern Louisiana to just 38.2-percent shooting (21 of 55). The Rebels outrebounded the Lions, 38-30.

Buckner's big game came less than a week after he missed the Rebels' victory over Alcorn State because of a sore knee. But he looked fully healthy against the Lions, using his 6-foot-8 body to create havoc in the paint on both offense and defense.

Trevor Gaskins, who is averaging 10.3 points per game, missed the game because of a strained hamstring. Coach Andy Kennedy said he hopes to have the junior guard back by the end of the week.

Southeastern Louisiana (6-6) was led by Gary Dixon's 19 points. Trent Hutchin added 16.

The Rebels have one more nonconference game at SMU before conference play begins on Saturday at Florida.

In the downtrodden Western Division, the Rebels are considered one of the favorites. Alabama, Auburn and LSU are all mired in rebuilding mode while Mississippi State — widely regarded as being the most talented team in the division — is struggling with suspensions and in-fighting.

Ole Miss has won at least 20 games in three of Kennedy's first four seasons, but hasn't made the NCAA Tournament in that time.