Ole Miss basketball earned a crucial SEC win Wednesday night, defeating rival Arkansas 73-66 in Bud Walton Arena, the program's first victory there since January of 2015. After the game, Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard broke down what worked well for his team in the win, especially as they handled a hostile environment.

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss men’s basketball defeated LSU, 77-65, Saturday afternoon at the SJB Pavilion. Ole Miss is 3-0 to begin conference play for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

There has been a constant expectation for Malik Dia to showcase why Chris Beard went after him and brought him to Oxford. Until Wednesday that had not happened but Dia provided solid proof of concept by putting Ole Miss on his back for a key Southeastern Conference win on the road.

Ole Miss forward Malik Dia set his season and Ole Miss high in points against Arkansas. The Rebels' win was a building moment for him and Chris Beard.

"As a coach, I always try to do what's best to help our players," Beard said. "I have certainly coached some teams where you have to joystick it and coach every play. I have also

Arkansas forward Adou Thiero (3) helps up teammate Boogie Fland (2) as Ole Miss head coach Chris Beard (right) and forward Jaemyn Brakefield (4) look on, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, during the second half of the Razorbacks' 73-66 loss to the Rebels at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. (Hank Layton/WholeHogSports)