COLUMBIA, MO.— Mizzou Men’s Basketball edged Bradley, 54-53, on Tuesday night at Mizzou Arena in a wild contest. Senior forward Jeremiah Tilmon’s game-winning 3-point play with 1.0 second left lifted the Tigers to a seventh consecutive win. Mizzou improved to 6-0 for the 23rd time in program history, and the first time since the 2013-14 season. Mizzou’s current 7-game win streak is its longest since 2013.
A defensive slugfest in the first half saw the Tigers up 21-19 at the break. The Tigers held Bradley to just 19 first-half points, the lowest point total by a Mizzou opponent since the Tigers held Chicago State to 14 in a half last season. Bradley stormed in front by as many as eight in the second half, but Mizzou closed the game on a clutch 12-4 run to nab the 1-point victory.
Junior guard Xavier Pinson led the team offensively with 15 points, including three 3-pointers. Tilmon followed suit with 12 points, 11 of which came in the second half, and 10 rebounds.
Down eight points with under four minutes left in play, Mizzou kicked it into high gear. Following a field goal by Pinson, Mark Smith knocked down a pair of crucial free throws to narrow the deficit to two. After a missed free throw by Bradley, Tilmon got fouled, converted the game-tying bucket and buried the ensuing free throw to put Mizzou in front.
Turning Point
Bradley seized control of the game thanks to a 6-0 run late in the second period, but the Tigers managed to claw their way back. With just one second left in the game, Tilmon surged Mizzou in front. The Tigers then got a stop on Bradley’s final possession to seal the victory.
Top Tigers
• Jeremiah Tilmon recorded his first double-double of the season and the seventh of his career, Tilmon tallied 12 points and grabbed 10 boards, including four offensive rebounds.
• Xavier Pinson paced the team with 15 points, knocking in three triples on the night.
• On the defensive side of the ball, Mitchell Smith recorded a career-high three blocks and grabbed nine boards.
Game Notes
• Mizzou is now riding a 7-game win streak dating back to the 2019-20 season finale. That’s the longest win streak of the Cuonzo Martin era and Mizzou’s longest since a 10-game streak to start the 2013-14 campaign.
• Mizzou held Bradley to just 19 points in the first half, the lowest point total by a Mizzou opponent since the Tigers held Chicago State to 14 in a half last season (12/30/19).
• Mitchell Smith recorded a new career high in blocks, as he swatted three shots on the night.
• Mitchell Smith also set a season-high in rebounds, grabbing nine boards in the contest.
• Jeremiah Tilmon recorded his seventh career double-double, scoring a season-high 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
• With five rebounds, Parker Braun recorded a season high, previously grabbing three boards against Wichita State (12/6/20).
• Last time Mizzou held an opponent to zero percent from beyond the arc in a half was against No. 11 Auburn (2/15/20).
Up Next
Mizzou tips off SEC play, as the Tigers host Tennessee on Wednesday, Dec. 30. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT at Mizzou Arena. The game will air on SEC Network.
