Missouri basketball starts strong at No. 25 LSU but falters late
Despite a great start and the Missouri Tigers fighting all night, they fell just short of an upset victory Tuesday at No. 25 LSU.
Mizzou (11-13, 3-8 SEC) faltered down the stretch in the second half and lost 82-78 to LSU (18-6, 9-2). The visiting Tigers led for most of the game at Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
MU’s lead stretched to 12 points multiple times through the first half. The three-pointers were going down and Mizzou aggressively attacked the basket.
But LSU stuck around because of the Mizzou defense’s weak point: Free throws. The home squad finished 29 for 34 as MU coach Cuonzo Martin’s Tigers ran into foul trouble.
“Opponent’s a good team,” Martin said. “Your margin for error is very slim. Everything counts. ... We gotta get those key offensive rebounds. You gotta get stops when you need them. It’s easier said than done, but I didn’t think we were getting gassed.”
Mizzou guard Dru Smith — despite seeming limited because of an ankle injury — was once again the Tigers’ most important player. He scored 20 points, adding five rebounds and four assists. Forward Reed Nikko contributed 13 points and eight rebounds.
Martin’s Tigers were again down two important starters in forward Jeremiah Tilmon and guard Mark Smith. While Tilmon was deemed unavailable, Mark Smith was considered a game-time decision and didn’t go through pregame warmups.
LSU guard Skyler Mays scored 23 points and Darius Days had 19 points.
Mizzou plays host to No. 11 Auburn in a 5 p.m. Saturday game at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.
“They do a great job getting downhill with the guards,” Martin said. “They’re the only in our league where you have five guys that can make plays off the dribble.”
This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 10:20 PM.