OXFORD - Zach Graham had a shot at glory, but it wasn't a clear shot, so he passed on it.

Coaches and players often remind us that records and individual achievement aren't important. There is some importance, or they would keep the records.

Graham was 7 for 11 from 3-point range late into Wednesday night's 90-59 win over Auburn. It marked the 11th time in school history a player has knocked down seven 3s. The school record is eight, and the record holder was at the broadcast table - Keith Carter.

In noting the significance of the possible achievement - particularly for a good shooter who has struggled much of this season - Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy got out the dry erase board during a timeout with hopes of matching Graham's name with Carter's.

"We drew up a play for the last one. He told me this was the last one before I was coming out," Graham said. "But I wasn't open, so I didn't shoot it."

Not open? This is basketball. How many times has an awkward shot from any angle, covered or not, come down to find the bottom of the sack? Heave it, and it may happen.

Graham's no-shot response is consistent with the way he's carried himself for four years at Ole Miss. It's not about Zach Graham, in his mind.

Graham has never been a "volume" 3-point shooter, as Kennedy says, but he has shot with much more success. He was a 39.4-percent career 3-point shooter over his first three seasons but had hit just 21 of his first 70 from behind the arc - 30 percent - for his senior year.

Auburn went into the game as the SEC's No. 1 team in 3-point defense in conference play. That defense showed up against Chris Warren, who was just 1 for 6 behind the arc.

Part of Graham's big night was due to Auburn's willingness to sell out to Warren and play off Graham a bit - until it was too late.

Ole Miss likely needs to win out to join any meaningful NCAA discussion. If Graham can keep his stroke for five more games, they just might have a shot.

For 40 minutes last night, Ole Miss looked like the offensive team many thought it would be this season. There have been flashes - a 62.2 percent shooting effort at LSU, a 47.1 percent 3-point effort against Kentucky - by consistency has been lacking.

Contributions from newcomers have been marginal and well-spaced, and post scoring has been an issue.

Warren is a known commodity. His game is going to be there most nights. If Graham - and he's really the only choice here - can begin to command similar defensive attention, defenders come out, passes to the post are completed more easily. And sophomore forward Reggie Buckner has shown he can convert if he can get position.

The Rebels play at rival Mississippi State on Saturday. Winning against the Bulldogs has come with lunar-eclipse frequency for Ole Miss. If Graham's "feeling it" chances are better.

Whether Wednesday's game was a moment in time or the beginning of something remains to be seen.

At least it leaves the Rebels (17-9 overall, 5-6 in the SEC) in the race for a first-round bye in the league tournament.

And the hope of something much more.

Parrish Alford (parrish.alford

@journalinc.com) covers Ole Miss for the Daily Journal. He blogs daily about Ole Miss athletics at NEMS360.com.