COLUMBIA, MO.—Senior Jeremiah Tilmon, Jr., erupted for a career-high 25 points as Mizzou downed Arkansas, 81-68, on the road Saturday afternoon. The Tigers picked up their first Southeastern Conference win of the campaign and just their second victory in Fayetteville since 1991.
Mizzou is now 7-1 on the season and 3-0 in games played away from Mizzou Arena, including a 2-0 mark in true road contests. Mizzou has now won four of the last six meetings with the Razorbacks. The 13-point win marked the Tigers’ largest margin of victory over Arkansas in Fayetteville since Dec. 2, 1967 (74-58).
Mizzou outpaced Arkansas 48-38 in the second half and outpaced the Razorbacks 51-36 on the glass despite head coach Eric Musselman’s squad entering the game 10th nationally in rebound margin.
Tilmon dominated the paint, converting 9-of-13 field goals en route to 25 points, the most by a Tiger in a game this season. Tilmon added 11 rebounds, securing his second double-double in the last three games.
Junior Xavier Pinson added a season-high 23 points, making 12-of-15 free throws. He added five rebounds and four assists in a electric effort.
Turning Point
With Mizzou clinging to a 49-43 lead at the 9:52 mark in the second half, the Tigers pieced together a 6-0 run, punctuated by a Dru Smith 3-pointer to take a 55-43 lead with 7:59 remaining. Arkansas would get as close as eight again, but Mizzou cashed in at the charity stripe and Mark Smith iced the game with a corner triple down the stretch.
Top Tigers
- Jeremiah Tilmon secured his eighth career double-double and his second in the last three games with a career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds. Tilmon has at least nine rebounds in five of seven games this season.
- Xavier Pinson scored a season-high 23 points, draining 12 free throws. Pinson is averaging 20.7 points per game in the last three outings vs. Arkansas.
- Senior Mark Smith tallied 11 points and a season-high eight rebounds.
Game Notes
- Xavier Pinson reached double figures for the seventh time in eight games to open the campaign.
- Mizzou grabbed a season-high 51 rebounds, drilling the Razorbacks on the glass +15.
- Jeremiah Tilmon’s 25 points marked the third 20-point game of his career.
- Mizzou made a season-high 28 free throws, earning a season-best 39 trips to the foul line.
Up Next
Mizzou continues a 2-game road swing with a trip to Mississippi State on Tuesday night. The Tigers and Bulldogs tip off at 8 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
