OXFORD - Struggling in its exhibition game against NAIA opponent Auburn-Montgomery, the Ole Miss Rebels got a big lift when they went small.

A four-guard lineup helped the Rebels increase their defensive intensity in the second half. That production carried over to the offensive end, and Ole Miss scored 67 points in the final 20 minutes en route to a 102-62 win.

The Rebels open the regular season next Friday night against Arkansas-Little Rock.

Ole Miss hit just 1-of-12 3-point shots in the first half and trailed 38-35 at the break. In the second half the Rebels hit their first seven 3-pointers and shot 11-for-14 for the frame.

Chris Warren was 4-for-8 from the arc, 4-for-5 in the second half, and led the way with 22 points in his first game action in almost a year.

Trevor Gaskins, playing for the first time in more than a year, was 3-for-8 from the arc, 6-for-12 from the floor. He finished with 16 points but just as importantly was the defensive presence Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy wanted in the second half.

"We shot poorly, and guys tend to base their performance on making shots. That carried over into other aspects of their game," Kennedy said. "We addressed that at the half. Our intensity was much better, and we were able to get into a better rhythm."

The Rebels shot just 35.7 percent and committed 11 of their 19 turnovers in the first half.

Kennedy played most of the opening half with two post players, working combinations of Murphy Holloway, DeAundre Cranston, Reggie Buckner and Kevin Cantinol.

He opened the second half with guards Warren and Gaskins, Terrico White and Eniel Polynice, Hollowing the only true post player then.

The Rebels went almost five minutes before mixing in post men Buckner and DeAngelo Riley at the same time.

Warren hit three 3-pointers and Gaskins two before the first timeout, taking the Rebels from a 38-35 halftime deficit to a 54-46 lead.

They poured it on from there, getting offense from a variety of sources, including walk-on Logan Nutt with seven points.

White had 16 points and Polynice 15 to round out four double-figure scorers.

"They out-worked us in the first half. We wanted to come back and out-work them," said Warren, who missed time earlier in the week with a sprained ankle and played only 18 minutes. "The four guards allowed us to make some plays on the defensive end, get some steals and change the game around. We played at our pace, not their pace."