COLUMBIA, Mo. — In a back-and-forth matchup that featured 21 ties and 11 lead changes, the University of Missouri men’s basketball team put together a stellar showing in an 83-72 victory against Utah, Saturday afternoon at Mizzou Arena. The win marked the first in program history for Mizzou against the Utes and moved the Tigers to 6-5 on the season.
“Great job for this team bouncing back to get a win,” said head coach Cuonzo Martin. “I think a good week of practice. We did a good job improving things, addressing things and we continue to improve. [Utah] is a talented team, and a very experienced team.”
Kobe Brown had a career day with 27 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including a personal best 11-of-13 free throws. Amari Davis, Javon Pickett and Ronnie DeGray III all joined Brown in double-digits, marking the 30th consecutive game in which multiple Tigers have scored 10 or more points.
Davis recorded 17 points in his first game off the bench, providing a spark in every avenue with five rebounds and shooting 53.8 percent from the floor. Pickett and DeGray III had 12 and 10, respectively, while DeGray III also contributed a game-high seven rebounds.
TURNING POINT
After being down one point at halftime, the second half continued to be a back-and-forth battle for Mizzou. Utah took its largest lead of the game, 65-60, with seven minutes left before Ronnie DeGray III hit a momentum changing three-pointer. The three launched a 9-1 Mizzou run which would continue as Kobe Brown scored the next 12 points for Mizzou, putting the Tigers up 75-71. Mizzou would not relinquish the lead the remainder of the game.
GAME NOTES
- Trevon Brazile and Anton Brookshire made their first career starts.
- Brazile has led the team in blocks in all three games he has played this season. The freshman already has five on the year.
- The 27 points mark Brown’s fourth career game of 20+ and his eighth double-digit game of the season.
- Mizzou moves to 6-1 on the season when outrebounding their opponent, doing so against Utah 41-33.
- The Tigers recorded just six turnovers, its fewest of the season. The last time Mizzou had less than six turnovers in a game was March 21, 2013 against Colorado State.
- Yaya Keita set a career-high with five rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Tigers turn their attention to their second rivalry game in a matter of weeks against Illinois in the McBride Braggin’ Rights Classic on Dec. 22. The game is set to tip off at 8 p.m. on Big Ten Network from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis.
FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For all the latest information on Mizzou Men’s Basketball, please visit MUTigers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Tigers on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @MizzouHoops. Fans should call 1-800-CAT-PAWS for tickets or buy online today!
