The last time the Missouri Tigers won an SEC game was March 10, 2023 against Tennessee. The Tigers finally snapped their streak Tuesday night against LSU, and did so in dominant fashion, winning 83-67.
Missouri was coming off of a tough loss to No.2 Auburn, a game in which the Tigers shot 42% from the field in the first half, a season low. Missouri also struggled to defend from beyond the arc against Auburn, allowing them to make seven three-pointers in the first half.
Missouri, however, seemed to rebound quickly getting out to an extremely quick start against LSU on Tuesday night. The Tigers jumped out to an early 12-4 lead and didn’t look back. Missouri would lead by at least five points for the entirety of the remainder of the game.
Missouri was also extremely efficient from beyond the three-point line, draining 50% of their attempts from deep. This was an abrupt difference to their outing three nights ago against Auburn, where the Tigers were only able to convert 30% of their shots from beyond the arc.
Missouri’s air raid from deep may have been partly attributed to the return of their sharpshooter Caleb Grill. Grill, who went 0-3 against Auburn, suffered a neck injury in a game against Lindenwood. He had missed 5 games, and hadn’t seemed to fully return to form, until last night, where the guard went 3 for 5 from three, posting 10 total points.
In addition to Grill’s contribution from beyond the arc, the Tigers scoring came from two very familiar faces, in Tamar Bates and Anthony Robinson II. Bates, who led both teams in scoring with 20, posted a very efficient 6-9 from the field, and 2-3 from three, giving him his second 20 point game of the season, and his fifth game of the season with a FG percentage of 60% or more.
Anthony Robinson II also made a major impact for the Tigers offensively in the form of free throws. Robinson took four trips to the line against LSU and went 8-8. Free throws have been a struggle for Missouri thus far in the season, as the Tigers have only had three games this season in which their free throw percentage has been 80% or higher.
The Tigers offense received contributions from many other sources as well, with five different players scoring at least 10 or more points for Missouri. Missouri also scored 75 or more points again, making this the 14th game of the season in which the Tigers offense has scored 75 or more points. Missouri also capitalized off of LSU’s errors scoring 20 points off of turnovers.
The LSU Tigers had 10 first half turnovers, many of which came on disoriented possessions that ended in a Missouri basket. The Tigers also shot 38% from the field in the first half, leading to a 15 point deficit at halftime. LSU’s leading scorers were also unable to produce in the first half. Cam Carter, who entered the matchup averaging 17 points, only scored four in the first half. Jordan Sears, the Tigers second leading scorer, only scored three points in the first 20 minutes. LSU did however, begin to score more proficiently in the second half, finishing the game with an overall shooting percentage of 43%.
LSU will look to win their first SEC game of the season against No. 23 Ole Miss on Jan. 11, the Tigers currently sit at 11-4, with a very competitive slate of SEC games ahead.
As for Missouri, the Tigers are no longer on a multi-season conference losing streak. When asked about last season’s conference record, Missouri head coach Dennis Gates said, “I have not one time brought up last year to this team.”
The Tigers will look to create a new streak, one contingent on wins, against Vanderbilt on Jan. 11. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM from Mizzou Arena.