Missouri men’s basketball started its two-game road stretch in Nashville, Tennessee against the Vanderbilt Commodores. This was the second time this season that the two have faced off –  the first resulting in a Tigers home victory. After a hard-fought contest, the Tigers were defeated in overtime 97-93. 

With 1:33 remaining in regulation, Missouri led by six points. Vanderbilt went on a 7-4 run and was only down three points with nine seconds left to go. Junior guard Tyler Nickel found himself with a 3-point shot to tie and send the game to overtime. 

The Commodores opened up overtime with a 9-3 run and never looked back. They went on to outscore Missouri 16-12 in the period. Senior guard AJ Hoggard led overtime scoring with seven points, he had 21 points altogether. 

Missouri struggled on the boards as they were outrebounded 39-28 by the Commodores. Senior guard Chris Manon led Vanderbilt in rebounds and scoring with 11 rebounds and 23 points on the night. The Tigers did not have a single player get more than seven rebounds in the game. 

In the first half, the Tigers performed well on both ends of the floor, as they came into half holding a 38-29 lead. Graduate guard Caleb Grill led Missouri in scoring with 16 points in the first half and 28 for the game, going 9-19 from the field.

Vanderbilt did not get to the free-throw line as much as Missouri, with the Commodores attempting 24 compared to the Tigers 35. Despite this, Vanderbilt converted 21-of-24 at the line, going 88% on the night. The Tigers went 28-of-35 from the line, going 80%. 

Missouri had its final road game of the year at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, against the Oklahoma Sooners. This was the second face-off between the old rivals this season. 

Edited by Colin Simmons l csimmons@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com 

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com