The Missouri Tigers were able to hold off the South Carolina Gamecocks 83-74 Tuesday night at Mizzou Arena. The win for the Tigers marks their 18th on the year as they improve to 18-6 while South Carolina falls to 8-16. Buckets came a-plenty this game as both teams shot over 50% from the field. The Gamecocks shot a season-high 52% from the field, led by freshman forward Gregory Jackson II who had 23 points. Missouri was not too far behind. The Tigers shot 50.9%, and even a swollen and cut eye could not stop senior guard Kobe Brown, who led his team with 19. Although he led the Tigers in scoring, coach Dennis Gates expressed his frustration with how Brown began the game but gave him his flowers for how he handled being challenged. 

“I several times challenged him because I thought he was passing the ball too much and passed up on some open shots that he had normally taken even in the last five or six games,” said Gates. Missouri was once again without guard Tre Gomillion and forward Ronnie DeGray III, but the Tigers had a surprise absence from guard Isiaih Mosley, who did not participate in pre-game warmups. 

When asked in the post-game presser about his absence, Gates said, “We had a conversation before the game and felt it was best he take this one off.” Gates later mentioned that Mosley wanted to play, but it was his decision to sit him. The Tigers definitely missed Mosley as in his last six games he is averaging 12 PPG and shooting 45.3% from the field, but they once again proved that they can also win without him which speaks volumes to their depth. The Mosley situation will certainly be one to monitor ahead of the Tigers matchup versus No. 6 Tennessee Saturday in Knoxville.