Mizzou Tigers basketball knocks off SEC-leading Alabama after late-game drama
The Missouri men’s basketball team watched as its 20-point lead was cut down to one. What started as a lopsided score turned into a dramatic finish as the Tigers held on to beat Alabama 68-65 on Saturday in Mizzou Arena.
The No. 18-ranked Tigers looked like they were comfortably on their way to a double-digit win over No. 10 Alabama, but that was part of their downfall. The Crimson Tide had other plans, going on a 21-2 run late in the second half to cut it to a one-point game. While Alabama pushed, Mizzou yielded as it was caught playing too casually.
But Mizzou turned up the intensity right at the end. The Tigers came up with stout defensive stands — including forward Mitchell Smith’s game-saving block.
Alabama made its comeback bid with less than six minutes remaining. The Tide hit eight of nine field goals, while the Tigers countered by missing seven straight jump shots. But the Tide couldn’t take control.
The Tigers (13-3, 6-3 SEC) won their third straight game and dealt Alabama (15-5, 10-1) its first conference loss of the season.
“Thought it was a great performance, even the last whatever the last three-plus minutes of the game,” MU coach Cuonzo Martin said. “Told our guys I’m real proud of them. I know it’s a long season, but oftentimes, you have to celebrate these kinds of moments because they don’t come often.”
It was another game of scoring roulette for the Tigers. It was guards Dru Smith and Mark Smith’s turn to elevate their game Saturday. Dru Smith came out hot and was his do-it-all self with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Mark Smith scored 12 points, but his defense set the tone early as he had five steals.
There was plenty of credit to go around as forward Kobe Brown had 13 points and nine rebounds. Mitchell Smith ended up being the hero with his last-second block.
Mizzou looked impressive on defense early. The Tide was sloppy and the Tigers appeared to get a hand on just about every pass to cause disruption. Alabama shot just 33.3% (22 for 66) while the Tigers feasted on efficient shots near the rim. They outscored the Tide 46-22 in points in the paint, a huge reason why they led for most of the game.
“You can’t overlook the fact it was a hard-fought win against a great, great team and program,” Martin said. “A team, no doubt in my mind, if healthy, will have every shot to win it all. ... I’m really happy for our guys. It was a great win.”
Alabama was led by guard Jaden Shackelford, who had 15 points. Four Tide players finished in double figures.
Mizzou travels to take on Ole Miss at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Pavilion in Oxford, Mississippi. The Tigers are right at halfway point of their 18-game SEC schedule, though two conference games still need to be rescheduled because of postponements.
This story was originally published February 6, 2021 at 1:17 PM.