COLUMBIA, Mo. – No.22 University of Missouri men’s basketball claimed victory in the first top-25 matchup of the season at Mizzou Arena, earning an 83-75 win over No. 16 Ole Miss Saturday night. The Tigers are now 16-4 on the season and 5-2 in SEC play while the Rebels slip to 15-5 with a 4-3 clip in conference play.

MIZZOU LEADERS

Tamar Bates and Caleb Grill led the team with 48 total combined points. Bates scored 26 points and recorded a season-high four three pointers made, shooting 4-of-6 from deep. Grill scored 22 points behind five made triples, shooting 5-of-9 from beyond the arch.

Anthony Robinson II notched seven points and had a team-high seven rebounds. Mark Mitchell recorded six points and team-high three assists.

GAME RECAP

Ole Miss started the game with an 8-0 run until Mizzou was able to find Bates in the corner for a three. Bates’ three kicked off a 12-0 Tiger run with Bates scoring 10 of Missouri’s first 12 points.

The Tigers and Rebels continued to go back and forth until a Robinson three began a 10-1 Missouri run. Grill capped off the spurt with an and-one corner three to give Missouri a 28-19 lead with Grill tallying seven of the team’s 10 points in grabbing the advantage.

Bates and Grill combined for 24 points and five three pointers in the first half as the Tigers took a 38-31 lead into the break. 

The Tigers continued to hold on to their lead throughout a physical second half. The Rebels were able to cut their deficit down to three, 54-51, halfway through the period. However, Grill responded with a three that started a 14-5 Missouri run that also included two transition layups off of forced turnovers. Bates scored the last seven points of the run to give the Tigers a 68-56 lead with 5:24 left in the game. 

The Rebels continued to fight, but 10 made free throws down the stretch for the Tigers powered them through to an 83-75 win.

TEAM STATS

Mizzou shot 44.9 percent from the field and 44 percent from three (11-25). The Tigers held Ole Miss to just 30 percent from beyond the arc and forced 13 turnovers, winning fast break points, 17-9.

Missouri was able to get to the free throw line 39 times compared to the Rebels 18. Missouri also outrebounded Ole Miss, 39-28

UP NEXT

Missouri goes back on the road to take on No. 14 Mississippi State next Saturday at noon. The game will be available to view via the SEC Network.