OXFORD, Miss. (Interstat) — In a Southeastern Conference men’s basketball game that defied both expectations and fatigue, the LSU Tigers outlasted the Mississippi Rebels 106-99 in a double-overtime marathon on Wednesday night at The Pavilion at Ole Miss.

The game, witnessed by 7,357 fans, was a stark departure from the pregame analytics, which heavily favored the home team. Instead, it evolved into a high-octane duel of endurance and shot-making, requiring two extra periods to separate the teams after they finished regulation knotted at 82-82 and the first overtime deadlocked at 90-90.

LSU, which improved to 15-13 overall, was propelled by a career-high 34 points from sophomore guard Max Mackinnon. The Brisbane, Australia, native played 48 of a possible 50 minutes, shaking off a recent scoring slump to deliver critical baskets in both overtimes. His driving layup and subsequent free throw with 34 seconds left in the second overtime provided the final margin, capping a period where the Tigers outscored the Rebels 16-9.

Mississippi, which fell to 11-17, was led by a heroic performance from junior guard Ilias Kamardine. The Marseille, France, product recorded a double-double with 26 points and 10 assists over 47 minutes, orchestrating the Rebel offense and hitting clutch free throws to force the first overtime. His backcourt mate, Eduardo Klafke of Franca, Brazil, added 16 points.

The contest was a tale of contrasting strengths. Mississippi dominated several hustle categories, converting 22 points off LSU turnovers compared to just 10 the other way, and outscoring the Tigers 12-5 on fast breaks. The Rebels also held a slight 48-44 edge in points in the paint.

Yet, LSU found answers through balanced scoring and resilience. Alongside Mackinnon’s outburst, center Michael Nwoko of Toronto provided a massive spark off the bench with 18 points, including several key free throws in the final minutes of regulation and overtime. Forward Pablo Tamba of Malaga, Spain, added 15 points, while point guard Jalen Reece of Orlando, Florida, facilitated the offense with 11 points and 10 assists.

The Rebels’ Malik Dia of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was a force inside, scoring 20 points, and AJ Storr of Rockford, Illinois, contributed 19. But LSU’s interior defense, led by Robert Miller of Houston and his four blocked shots, provided crucial resistance at the rim in the extra sessions.

The most pivotal sequence of the game unfolded in the final seconds of the first overtime. With LSU clinging to a 90-88 lead, Kamardine was fouled on a drive to the basket with 0.7 seconds remaining. He calmly sank both free throws under immense pressure, sending the game to a second overtime and momentarily silencing the traveling LSU contingent.

However, the Tigers regrouped. Mackinnon opened the second overtime with a quick basket, and LSU never trailed in the final period. The Tigers’ defense stiffened, and Mackinnon, Tamba, and Nwoko combined to score all 16 of LSU’s points in the frame to finally secure the road victory.

The win snapped a two-game skid for LSU, while Mississippi suffered its fourth consecutive defeat in a season that has failed to meet preseason hopes. The teams combined for 205 total points, far surpassing the over/under line of 146.5 in a game that was both an offensive spectacle and a test of will.

LSU next hosts Oklahoma on Saturday, while Mississippi travels to face Auburn on the same day.