By Olivia Evans
Here’s what’s happening this week in Mizzou Athletics …
Men’s Basketball:
The Tigers fell 63-58 to No. 21 Xavier this past Tuesday in Cincinnati, OH. Mizzou is now 2-1 at the start of the season. This game proved to a struggle for Jeremiah Tilmon, who picked up three fouls early in the game. Mizzou needs Tilmon on the floor, but when he fouls early he must be benched. The Tigers lead scorer for the game was Dru Smith; he had 22 points and led the team in rebounds with 10. Coming out of halftime, the Tigers managed to take control of the scoreboard. In the final minutes of the game, Xavier surged back, sending the game into overtime where they dominated and secured their win. 
The Tigers return home to face off with Wofford at 7 p.m. on Monday.
Women’s Basketball:
This week the Tigers took two losses, one at home by Northern Iowa 78-73 and the other on the road to Green Bay 72-64. After a strong preseason showing, the Tigers have struggled early in the season. They have managed to keep it close in every game but have not been able to secure the win. 
The women will take on South Dakota this upcoming Thursday.
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country:
The men and women competed at the NCAA Regional race in the Midwest region. Thomas Geroge finished second overall in the region; this guarantees him a spot to race in Terre Haute, IN for NCAA Nationals. The women finished fifth in the region behind lead runner Sarah Chapman, who finished 17th overall.
George will race at the national championship on Saturday.
Football:
The Tigers returned home for their military appreciation game against No. 11 Florida this past week; they lost 23-6. The Tigers currently sit at 5-5 on the season and 2-4 in the SEC. While this game was offensively abysmal, D-Line Zou showed up and recorded a season-high four sacks, three of which came from the duo of Jordan Elliott and Kobie Whiteside. The defense only allowed 58 rushing yards and three third-down conversions. Mizzou was unable to convert on the offensive board; the only saving grace was Tucker McCann’s two made field goals. The Tigers still need at least one more win to be bowl eligible, dependent upon the NCAA ruling.
On Saturday the Tigers will take on the Volunteers from Tennessee for their last home game of the season.
Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving:
The men’s squad ranks at No. 3 in the nation and the women sit at No. 9 in the nation. So far this season, the Tigers have been a dominant force in the pool and at the diving well and have won all of their meets.
Mizzou hits the aquatic center again at home this upcoming Tuesday through Friday.
Volleyball:
This week was full of action for the Tigers. First, interim head coach Joshua Taylor was officially promoted to full-time head coach of the squad. This weekend Mizzou hosted both Alabama and South Carolina as they round out SEC play. Both games the Tigers won in a sweep and Mizzou is now 18-6 overall and 10-4 in the SEC.  The ‘bama game was the eighth time this season the Tigers hit .400 plus. Kylie Deberg led in kills both games this weekend. 
This week the Tigers travel to Lexington, KY to play No. 17 Kentucky on Wednesday.
Wrestling:
The No. 12 ranked Tigers were handed a 19-14 loss from Illinois at Francis Howell High School. The Tigers are currently 0-2 this season. While the Tigers didn’t win the dual, they did pick up wins at 141, 149, 157 and 197lbs. On top of this loss, Jaydin Eierman, a three-time All-American for Mizzou, has decided to transfer to Iowa. 
The Tigers look to redeem themselves this week as they take on Missouri Valley College and Central Missouri at home. On Saturday, Mizzou travels to St. Charles, MO to compete in the Lindenwood Open.
Edited by Emma Moloney | [email protected]