Utah Beats Ole Miss in a 75-74 Nail-Biter Classic
What a wild ride. What an ending. If you wanted late-game drama, this one had it in buckets. On a tense Wednesday night in Palm Springs, Utah beats Ole Miss 75-74 in a game that felt more like March than November. It went down to the final heartbeat, with ice in the veins at the line and a star going off when it mattered most. Not just another early-season game. A message sent.
A Down-to-the-Wire Finish
The last minute? Total chaos. Ole Miss snatched a 74-73 lead and, for a second, it looked over. The Rebels had it. The place got loud. Then Terrence Brown attacked the rim, got bumped, and the whistle blew with 4.4 seconds left. Here’s the kicker: he stepped up and buried both free throws like it was a layup. No shake. No doubt. Utah by one. Ole Miss got a final heave at the buzzer, but it sailed off, and the Utes mobbed the floor.
This was the title game of the Acrisure Classic out in California. Ole Miss rolled in unbeaten and looking scary. Utah came in hungry and ready to prove they belong with the big boys. Don McHenry carried a flamethrower, dropping a season-high 27. Every time Utah needed a bucket, he found one—tough pull-ups, big drives, the whole deal. It took everyone, but his star turn pushed them over the hump.
Why This Win is a Big Deal for Utah
Let’s be real: this one counts. Beating an undefeated SEC team on a neutral floor is the kind of thing the committee remembers in March. It says Utah can take a punch, keep swinging, and close. That travels.
For Ole Miss, yep, it stings. First loss, and it came at the stripe in the final seconds. Tough way to learn about late-game details, but that’s how it goes. You’ve got to finish. For Utah—and for Terrence Brown—this is the kind of moment you carry all season. You’ve felt the pressure. You hit the shots. Now you believe it every night.
By the Numbers: A Closer Look
- Don McHenry lit it up with 27 points, a season-high and the top mark in the game.
- Terrence Brown nailed two clutch free throws with 4.4 seconds left to put Utah ahead for good.
- Ole Miss took its first loss of the year after coming in perfect.
- Lead changes kept flying in the final five minutes. No one blinked.
- Utah’s defense locked in on the last trip, forcing a tough, contested look at the horn.
What’s Next for the Utes and Rebels?
Utah just picked up a ton of momentum heading toward Pac-12 play. They proved they can win a tight, physical game against a quality team. Now the job is simple: stack more solid wins and keep that edge on the road. This sets a new bar for what they expect from themselves.
Ole Miss has to shake it off fast. The SEC is a grinder, and games like this are everywhere. They’ve got the talent. Now it’s about closing time—cleaner possessions, better shots, fewer mistakes under a minute. How they answer this loss will say a lot. Want more stats and schedules? Hit a Related Source and dive in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the leading scorer for Utah? Don McHenry dropped 27, his best of the season. Where was this game played? The Acrisure Classic final in Palm Springs, California. What does this mean for Utah’s season? It’s a huge non-conference win over an unbeaten SEC team and a big boost for their NCAA Tournament case.
Bottom line: this was a gutsy win that can tilt a season. Utah showed poise, toughness, and real belief. Ole Miss leaves with a bruise. Utah leaves with a signature W—and a locker room that knows it can finish.