COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri’s men’s basketball team (10-14, 4-7) put together a collective effort to take down Ole Miss (12-13, 3-9) for the second time this season, 70-66, at the seventh annual Rally for Rhyan game Saturday night.
In the Tigers’ annual Rally for Rhyan game, Mizzou raised a total of $52,000. The proceeds from tonight’s game will go towards pediatric cancer research and
Five Tigers reached double-digit points with Ronnie DeGray III and Javon Pickett leading the way with 14 points apiece. Kobe Brown put up 13 points in addition to leading the team with six rebounds and five assists. Amari Davis followed suit with 13 points, as DaJuan Gordon rounded out the high-scoring Tigers with 11 points.
“It’s always tough to beat a team twice,” said head coach Cuonzo Martin. “The thing about Ole Miss is they play a physical brand [of basketball] so you know you have to win that battle. So it’s a great way to find a win.”
The Tigers jumped out of the gate with five unanswered points, maintaining the lead for almost all of the first half. Mizzou was lights out from behind-the-arc, shooting 63 percent in the first half. Gordon took control with back-to-back three pointers, giving the Tigers’ a 12-2 run to end the first half. The momentum carried into the second as Mizzou opened the game with a 9-0 run in the first three minutes, extending their lead to 52-32.
The Rebels didn’t let up, fighting back to go on an 8-0 run midway through the second half to close the gap to 10, 62-52. The Tigers’ maintained composure, knocking down a handful of free throws in the final stretch to secure the first victory at home against Ole Miss since 2013.
GAME NOTES
- This is the first time in program history Mizzou has beaten Ole Miss in back-to-back games and the first time they’ve beaten them at home since 2013.
- Mizzou moves to 5-15 all-time series against Ole Miss, with four of those wins coming under head coach Cuonzo Martin.
- Five Tigers reached double-digit points: Kobe Brown (13), Amari Davis (10), DaJuan Gordon (11), Javon Pickett (14), Ronnie DeGray III (14).
- The Tigers’ 53.8 percent shooting performance from the floor was the highest in Mizzou Arena since TCU on Jan. 30, 2021.
- The Tigers’ shot 63 percent from behind-the-arc in the first half, their best three-point shooting half of the season.
- Mizzou is now 2-1 on the season when facing a team for the second time.
- Javon Pickett has now scored in double-digits in the last seven-straight SEC games for Mizzou.
- Pickett and Jarron Coleman both tied career-highs with three steals each.
- Gordon made a season-high against a Division 1 team with three three-pointers, all of which came in the first half.
- Mizzou is now 7-2 when leading at half.
UP NEXT
Mizzou stays home to host a rematch against Arkansas at Mizzou Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 15 for an 8 p.m. tip. The game will air on the SEC Network.
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!
