COLUMBIA, Mo. — Despite trailing by seven at halftime, Mizzou Men’s Basketball (14-15, 6-10) fought and clawed back to tie the game in the second half, but ultimately fell to Mississippi State, 67-63.
Guards Xavier Pinson and Dru Smith led the Tigers’ offense, combining for 39 points. Dru Smith also posted nine boards, including a career-high six offensive rebounds. Pinson finished with 20 points, reaching that mark for the fourth time in the last seven games. Redshirt junior Mitchell Smith also posted 10 points, marking the 13th time this season three Tigers have scored in double-digits. Junior Jeremiah Tilmon added seven points off the bench.
Mizzou outrebounded the Bulldogs, 36-30, and committed only eight turnovers, but shot 6-of-29 from beyond the arc in the loss.
Turning Point:
Down 51-40, the Tigers went on a 13-2 run, tying the game on a Xavier Pinson bucket with 8:54 to play. The Bulldogs responded with a 6-2 spurt capped by a tough contested jumper from Tyson Carter. It gave Mississippi State a six-point edge with 5:45 left. Mizzou got back within two but couldn’t get over the hump as Carter scored another clutch basket with 45 seconds remaining to all but seal the game.
Top Tigers:
- Xavier Pinson contributed a team-high 20 points and recorded five rebounds and two assists.
- Dru Smith scored 19 points and has now scored in double-figures 16 times this season.
- Mitchell Smith also reached double-digits after scoring 10 points, and added three rebounds.
Notes
- Dru Smith recorded a career high six offensive rebounds with five coming in the first half. It marked the most offensive rebounds by a guard at Mizzou since Earnest Ross grabbed seven vs. Stanford on Nov. 22, 2012.
- Dru Smith and Xavier Pinson both scored in double-figures for the ninth time this season. The duo has now combined for 208 points over the last five games.
- The Tigers outrebounded the Bulldogs, 36-30, falling to 10-6 on the season when outrebounding their opponent.
- Pinson, Mitchell Smith, and Dru Smith all finished with at least 10 points, marking the 13th time three Tigers have scored in double-digits this season.
- Mitchell Smith has now scored in double-digits seven times this season.
- After scoring 20 points vs. the Bulldogs, Pinson now has scored 112 points over the last five games.
- Mizzou shot 86.7 percent from the free throw line for the second consecutive game. The Tigers have shot above 75 percent 12 times in the last 13 games.
Up Next
Mizzou travels to Oxford, Miss., on Wednesday to face the Ole Miss Rebels. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. CT, with the airing on the SEC Network.
For all the latest on Mizzou’s Men’s Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MizzouHoops.
