AUSTIN McAFEE | The Daily Mississippian
Marshall Henderson takes the court during Square Jam.
The Ole Miss men’s basketball team won a dogfight last weekend in Conway, S.C., as it took down the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina, 72-70, but they’ll look to have a more complete performance when they host Mississippi Valley State (1-3) tonight.
Senior guard Marshall Henderson scored 19 points in his return on 6-of-16 shooting. Junior guard Jarvis Summers added 14 points. The Rebels got collective scoring on Saturday, as five guys were in double figures.
Although it wasn’t the most efficient performance from Henderson, Ole Miss head coach Andy Kennedy thought Henderson played as well as he could have in his return.
“It was good to have him back,” Kennedy said. “He settled in in the second half and played well for us.”
The Rebels (2-0) missed 16 free throws and turned the ball over numerous times, which allowed the game to come down to the final moments in which sophomore forward Anthony Perez sank two free throws to put the game away.
Scoring is still an issue for the Rebels when either Henderson or Summers is not on the floor. Kennedy hopes junior guard LaDarius White will come along an emerge as the third scorer.
“Snoop (White) is struggling right now,” Kennedy said. “I think he’s putting a lot of pressure on himself, but I’m trying to change his initial looks.”
Kennedy expects improvement from his team going forward, and that improvement starts tonight against the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State and Tuesday against North Carolina A&T.
“Repetition for the young guys and offensive rhythm is what I am hoping to get, as well as two wins before we head to Brooklyn,” Kennedy said.
Ole Miss leads the all-time series against Mississippi Valley State 5-0, and the Rebels won the meeting last season, 93-67.
Tipoff from Tad Smith Coliseum is set for 7:30 p.m.
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss men’s basketball, follow @thedm_sports on Twitter.
-Tyler Carter
tcarter@go.olemiss.edu
