Mizzou outlasts Arkansas in overtime, remains perfect in Rally For Rhyan games
The Missouri Tigers outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks 83-79 in overtime on Saturday to remain perfect in Rally For Rhyan games.
The Tigers (11-12, 3-7 SEC) snapped a two-game losing streak, defeating the Razorbacks (16-7, 4-6) at Mizzou Arena. They also improved to 5-0 in Rally For Rhyan games. Rally For Rhyan is the annual charity game dedicated for Rhyan Loos to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
Both Missouri and Arkansas had a chance to win it at the end of regulation. But the Tigers were hit with a shot-clock violation while the Hogs put up a wild shot as the clock expired, sending the game into overtime.
The teams played an ugly brand of basketball, though that’s commonplace for Mizzou. The Tigers shot 38.3 percent on field goals while the Hogs were 38.7 percent. But the storyline was the many fouls: The teams combined for 59 fouls and 83 free-throw attempts. Six total players fouled out.
Against an undersized Arkansas team, the Tigers feasted on the boards. They out-rebounded the Hogs 52-35. It also led to 16 second-chance points.
“They don’t have guys who are 6-10, 6-11 like most of teams in this league might have” Mizzou coach Cuonzo Martin said of Arkansas. “It’s just a matter of rebounding balls, keeping balls alive. I thought Mitch (Smith) and Reed (Nikko) did a great job of rebounding, keeping balls alive.”
Mizzou forward Nikko impressed against the Hogs frontcourt. He finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds but fouled in a messy game.
But it was Mizzou guard Xavier Pinson who shined down the stretch. He scored a career-high 24 points, and while it wasn’t efficient on 5-for-15 shooting, the Tigers turned to him often. Javon Pickett had 14 points, while Dru Smith also added 11 points.
But Mizzou was down two of its starters again. Forward Jeremiah Tilmon didn’t go through warmups and was out for the game. He made his return against Texas A&M on Tuesday, playing 12 minutes, but suffered a setback in his injury.
Guard Mark Smith was available for Missouri on Saturday. He had missed the past two games with a lower back injury. But he didn’t crack the rotation on Saturday as he sat the entire game.
While Arkansas guard Mason Jones, the SEC’s leading scorer had 17 points, he was just 3 for 14 on field goals. He did most of his damage from the free-throw line, finishing 11 for 14 there.
Mizzou travels to play No. 18 LSU at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
“This is Mizzou basketball, there’s a real tradition, great history,” Martin said. “But any time you can support pediatric cancer, I think it’s very important.”
This story was originally published February 8, 2020 at 5:24 PM.