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Warren, Robertson lead charge as Auburn shocks Ole Miss

Jan 20, 2008 - 2:53 AM AUBURN, Alabama (Ticker) -- Chris Warren and Mississippi became the latest ranked team to get upset on Saturday.

The freshman guard Warren scored 25 points, but Quantez Robertson buried a huge 3-pointer in the final minute to lead unranked Auburn to an 80-77 victory over No. 15 Ole Miss in the Southeastern Conference.

Frank Tolbert scored 29 points and DeWayne Reed added 21 as the Tigers (11-5, 2-2 SEC West) put an end to the Rebels' best start in 82 years.

The Rebels fell despite the best efforts from Warren, who shot 7-of-14 from the arc.

The sensational freshman shook off the notion that the Rebels were fatigued by the Tigers' fast-pace style.

"We weren't fatigued because we practice hard and are used to fast-pace play, it just wasn't our night."

It wasn't their night because of Tolbert. The senior guard hit 9-of-11 shots from the floor despite being limited by an injured ankle he suffered in practice.

"I guess it did slow me down a little bit," Tolbert said. "I was still going to play after I got hurt. I felt like I really needed to play and have a good performance today.

"I had a lot of confidence today. I just really felt like I had it today. It was a big game and the confidence just came to me."

Reed helped spring the upset as he scored 11 points during a 16-3 run that helped the Tigers take a 70-63 lead with 6:20 to play.

Ole Miss aided the Auburn run by missing 12-of-13 field-goal attempts during the stretch.

But the Rebels were able to bounce back as Kenny Williams scored consecutive baskets and Warren capped a 7-0 run with a 3-pointer that tied the game at 70-70 with 3:03 to play.

Mississippi missed its next two shots, and Robertson drilled a shot from the arc to make it 73-70 with 1:01 left.

"It was a set play regardless of who got the ball," Robertson said. "I got it and felt like I was open and had a good shot so I took it."

Ole Miss went on to miss four of its final five 3-point attempts in the final minute, and Auburn converted seven of its 10 free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

"We played really hard," Williams said. "We just missed too many important shots."

The conference road woes continued for Ole Miss, who shot 39 percent (29-of-74) from the floor, and have lost 17 of their last 18 road conference showdowns.

An transfer from Auburn, senior center Dwayne Curtis scored nine points in the first half to lead Ole Miss to a 44-42 lead after 20 minutes.

However, he went silent in the second half and scored just four points the rest of the way.

A big factor was the disparity in free throws. Auburn made 16-of-28, while Ole Miss only attempted 11 all game.

"They (conference games) are all hard," Rebels coach Andy Kennedy said. "Each night we have to come out and be agressive. Every team we are going to face in the SEC is going to be a challenge. And tonight, when our opponent makes more free throws than we attempt, it is hard to win."