During its three-game losing streak, Missouri shot 20-72 from 3-point range. On Saturday against Temple, the Tigers were 8-29 from beyond the arc.
None of that mattered as Mark Smith curled around a screen and spotted up.
The junior caught a pass from Xavier Pinson and didn’t hesitate before knocking down a 3-pointer from the left wing, giving Missouri a 57-52 lead and some breathing room in what had been a back-and-forth game to that point with 3 minutes left. Missouri (5-4) held on to beat Temple (6-2) 64-54 for its first win since Nov. 20.
Both teams got off to a slow start offensively, something Missouri has been no stranger to this season. Neither team cracked double digits until a Javon Pickett 3-pointer with 11:31 left in the first half gave Missouri a 11-8 lead. Scoring would pick up for both teams and Missouri took a 33-27 lead into halftime.
Temple closed the gap in the second half, taking the lead with 13:42 left. Neither team could gain separation from there, with the largest lead by either team over the next ten minuteses being six points.
After Smith’s 3-pointer, Temple guard Quinton Rose responded with a layup before Pinson knocked down a midrange jumper to push Missouri’s lead back to five. On the Tigers’ next offensive possession, he freed himself for a layup. The sophomore finished with 7 points and three assists. Pickett led Missouri with 16 points on 5-10 shooting.
Missouri will be back in action on Dec. 12 against Southern Illinois.
_Edited by Emily Leiker | eleiker@themaneater.com_