Missouri’s leading man, Mark Mitchell, was the primary target of Miami’s defense in their NCAA tournament matchup, forcing Missouri to find other ways to try to win.
With Mitchell limited, graduate student Jayden Stone miraculously broke out of a cold spell that had haunted him for the latter half of conference play, keeping the Tigers competitive.
Stone totaled 21 points and six rebounds, leading the team in points and alongside senior Shawn Phillips Jr. in rebounds. He shot 3-for-7 from beyond the arc, with each three slowing down the Hurricanes’ momentum and establishing rhythm for the Tigers.
Stone gave Missouri a spark early, scoring seven quick points as the Tigers’ offense struggled to find consistency. It was a welcome sight for a player whose production had dipped late in the season after a strong start. His average points steadily declined as the Tigers entered the NCAA tournament on a three game losing streak.
When the moment demanded it, Stone delivered.
“I’m just basically reading whatever the defense was doing off Mark or off Ant when they’re driving,” Stone said. “It was giving me easy catch-and-shoot shots.”
With the defense occupied on preventing Mitchell from taking the game over, Stone found the space he needed to create shots. Mitchell finished the first half without a field goal, while Stone and junior Anthony Robinson guided Missouri through a 9-0 that brought the game within a single point of the Hurricanes.
If the first half showcased Stone fighting to keep Missouri afloat, the second half showcased a complete Stone takeover.
He found eight points in the first five minutes of the half, including a four-point play that broke down a lively Miami offense. His impressive run did not stop there, as he added six more points to give Missouri its second lead of the game with nine minutes remaining.
Stone had completely changed the demeanor of the Tigers. A team that had trailed by double-digits looked to be in control.
“I mean, you can tell by my reaction after the shot,” Stone said. “I thought we were going to go in there, and we were gonna go forward.”
Despite Stone’s efforts, Missouri couldn’t overcome Miami’s physicality and late-game execution. The Hurricanes capitalized on second-chance opportunities early and surged late, using a decisive second-half run to pull away and secure an 80-66 win.
Stone’s performance reflected the role he’s grown into over the course of the season: a smart, reliable player who is ready to step up when his team needs him.
“But from an IQ standpoint, Jayden Stone has a high basketball IQ,” head coach Dennis Gates said. “ And a guy that was averaging 20 points a game was just trying to figure out how he could help the team win.”
That evolution hasn’t come easily. After beginning the year in strong form, Stone spent much of conference play searching for consistency. On the biggest stage, he rediscovered it.
“Today, I had things going,” Stone said. “I was fortunate enough to have that opportunity, and it’s just unfortunate with the result.”
On a night where Missouri had to look beyond its star, Stone proved he could be the answer — even if it wasn’t enough to extend the Tigers’ season.
