Missouri returned home after a loss to Auburn in its first in-conference game of the season to take on two more SEC opponents. The Tigers faced LSU and Vanderbilt, giving Missouri its first two wins of SEC play this season. 

Missouri vs. LSU

After capturing an early lead against the LSU Tigers on Jan. 7., Missouri never looked back, winning 83-67. This marked the first conference win of the season for Missouri.

This Missouri win marked its first SEC win since the 2022-23 season, going 0-18 playing SEC opponents last season.

Missouri started the game with Anthony Robinson II, Tamar Bates, Tony Perkins, Trent Pierce and Mark Mitchell on the court. Bates was first on the board for Missouri, netting a jump shot in the paint less than one minute into the game.

A minute later, Robinson II turned over the ball and knocked down Missouri’s first 3-pointer of the game. Unlike the game against Auburn where Missouri made seven of its 23 3-point attempts, Missouri made 12 3-pointers on the night. Eight of those 3s came in the first half. 

Missouri carried the lead from Robinson II’s 3-pointer all the way through the first half, leading 42-27 at the first buzzer. Robinson II led the team in scoring through the first-half scoring 12 points.

Only seconds into the second half, Bates initiated Missouri’s scoring with a layup. Missouri scored 15 points in the first five minutes of the last half, with Bates scoring eight of the 15.

Missouri kept applying pressure on LSU, maintaining a steady lead throughout the second half. They finished the game leading by 16 points. Bates finished the game with 20 points, leading the team in scoring.  

Missouri vs. Vanderbilt

After ending the 22 in-conference game losing streak Thursday against LSU, the Missouri Tigers played Vanderbilt with a chance to win two in a row at home. There was a sold-out crowd in attendance for the 18th meeting between the two schools. Missouri was able to win with a final score of 75-66.

In the final five minutes of the game, Missouri’s lead was cut to one point before the Tigers kicked off a 12-6 run to close it out. Mark Mitchell capped off his game-leading 19-point performance with four points during the run. His contribution included a made layup through tough contact drawing a foul and converting the 3-point play. 

Anthony Robinson II had a career-high eight assists in this one. He also went 100% from the field on six shots including two three-pointers, finishing the day with 15 points.

“Letting the ball move and flow,” Robinson II said when asked about what goes into creating opportunities for his team. “My teammates was in the right position, making the easy play, not trying to force anything.”

Halfway through the second half, Missouri’s nine-point lead had slipped to only three as the Tigers had been outscored 18-11 in the half. Shortly after that Missouri went on a 6-0 run thanks to a three from Bates and guard Caleb Grill. 

In the first half, Robinson II and Mitchell led in scoring for the team, both with 11 points. Both players were extremely efficient from the field; Robinson went 3-for-3 and Mitchell went 3-for-4. 

In the first half, the Tigers won the rebound battle 17 to 12. The home team forced six turnovers and only allowed four of its own. Missouri was able to convert those six turnovers into 13 points in the first half. 

Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com 

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com