Jan 8, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Ole Miss Rebels forward Malik Dia (0) reacts after making a there point shot in the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena. Ole Miss won 73-66. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

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.

With just over 14 minutes remaining in the second half, junior Ole Miss basketball forward Malik Dia left the bench and trotted onto the floor Wednesday at Bud Walton Arena. What Dia did in Ole Miss' 73-66 win at Arkansas — and specifically in those 14 minutes — could pay long-term dividends for him as the No.

Malik Dia scored 21 points to lead No. 23 Mississippi to a 73-66 win over Arkansas on Wednesday night, the Rebels’ first win in Fayetteville since 2015. Sean Pedulla scored 16 and Dre Davis 10. Pedulla and Dia made back-to-back buckets with less than nine minutes left to build Ole Miss’ lead to double digits after Arkansas (11-4,

Ole Miss forward Malik Dia (0) celebrates with teammate Matthew Murrell (11) after making a three-pointer as Arkansas forward Jonas Aidoo (9) looks on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, during the second half of the Razorbacks' 73-66 loss to the Rebels in their SEC home opener at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville. (Hank Layton/WholeHogSports)

Malik Dia scores 21 points along with eight rebounds as the Rebels get the win behind a balanced effort against the Razorbacks, 73-66.

Ole Miss beat Arkansas in the Rebels' second SEC game this college basketball season. Forward Malik Dia was a key part of the winning effort