Mizzou basketball’s offense erupts in win over VMI. The first real test is next
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mizzou scored 106 in rout of VMI as five players reached double figures.
- Offense shot 59.3% and hit 42.9% 3s in first half; MU dominated paint scoring.
- Upcoming schedule escalates difficulty with Minnesota, Kansas and Illinois tests.
The Missouri Tigers will face their first power conference test Wednesday. And recent performances suggest they’ll need to take a step forward if they’re going to be up to the task.
That is ... on one side of the court.
Mizzou defeated VMI (Virginia Military Institute) 106-68 Sunday at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers’ offense, which has scored at least 88 points in all three games, erupted for a season-best showing. Five players scored in double figures, while the home side ended the game on a 19-1 run.
“Thankful to our players, our staff, for being able to execute a game plan,” coach Dennis Gates told media in Columbia after the game. “It was awesome to see things come to fruition.”
Mark Mitchell led the way with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Robinson added 20 points, four assists and four steals.
“What can I say,” Gates said. “Mark Mitchell, double-double.”
That, combined with a decisive second-half performance, represented the good in Sunday’s matchup, the part that may give fans hope about a return trip to the NCAA Tournament.
But much like the Tigers’ prior game — a five-point win over Southeast Missouri State — this one wasn’t necessarily easy. At least for 25 minutes or so.
VMI won the opening tip, scored the opening basket and held the lead through the first five-and-a-half minutes. The Tigers used a 10-2 run to open an 11-point lead at the 5:21 mark in the first half, but even then, the game went to half at a 10-point margin.
At that point, VMI had led for more than seven minutes of game time, Mizzou just over 12. The margin was back at single-digits five minutes and change into the second half.
The Tigers, ranked No. 37 on KenPom before Sunday’s action, entered as heavy favorites over VMI (No. 249), same as they did against SEMO (No. 219). Competition will soon get much stiffer, with games against Minnesota (No. 63, Nov. 12), Notre Dame (No. 70, Dec. 2), Kansas (No. 30, Dec. 7) and Illinois (No. 3, Dec. 22) all before SEC play.
As for Sunday’s test ... Mitchell paced the Tigers (3-0) with 16 points and six rebounds in 18 first-half minutes. Robinson had 12 first-half points and two assists; the Tigers won his 19 first-half minutes by 14 and were outscored by four in the 1 minute, 23 seconds he sat.
A bright spot: The Tigers shot 59.3% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range in the half, while getting to the free-throw line 22 times. Even on low volume from deep (seven attempts), that’s a recipe for offensive success, and it was reflected in Mizzou’s 50 first-half points.
“I thought our team did a great job executing,” Gates said.
It was an odd test for the defense, with VMI (2-1) bombing away from 3. The Keydets attempted 29 shots in the first half, with 22 of them coming beyond the arc. For the game, they attempted 42 three-point baskets to just 15 2-pointers. They went a combined 0-for-3 on layups and dunks (Mizzou was 23-for-30).
Forward Jacob Crews noted the Tigers knew VMI would keep shooting, and said the key was not to overreact to early makes — including “a backboard 3 and ... loose-ball 3.”
Missouri eventually found separation midway through the second half. Leading by nine at the 14:51 mark, the Tigers used a 15-1 run to break the game open. They led by 21 after three straight free throws by Mitchell, then 23 after a steal by Robinson turned into a Mitchell layup with 10:57 to play.
“I think Mark stayed aggressive from the last game to this game, and it pays off,” Crews told reporters in Columbia. “He’s a force down there and it attracts a lot of attention.”
Of the defensive turnaround, Gates added: “The difference is we were able to get there on shooters and specifically lower their percentages. When you have a high-percentage field goal number, it puts stress on you. But ultimately we did make the adjustments.”
Jayden Stone, who scored the game’s final basket, posted 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal in just 22 minutes. Luke Northweather added 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Tigers crossed the 100-point threshold on a Northweather 3-pointer, his only made basket, with 1:34 to play. That shot put Mizzou up 101-68 and was the beginning of an 8-0 game-ending run.
Missouri scored five straight points after that, including an and-one by Nicholas Randall, to take its largest lead of the game at 106-68 (38 points). Gates praised Randall’s “joyful spirit” postgame and said he’s going to be “a heck of a player” at some point.
Crews and Sebastian Mack also scored in double figures, finishing with 14 points apiece.
The Tigers were without several players on Sunday, including Shawn Phillips Jr. (announced out with illness), as well as guard Annor Boateng, forward Trent Pierce and center Trent Burns. Phillips scored 16 points with 11 rebounds in MU’s season opener on Nov. 3. Boateng, Pierce and Burns have yet to play this season.
“I’ll put this on the record,” Gates said. “Shawn wanted to play. I had to make a decision. Three games in less than five (six) days. I’m just shocked he allowed me to make that decision, but it comes with the relationship.
“... This is when the depth and our recruiting decisions pay off. I’m not panicked off of guys taking their time to get healthy.”
Missouri will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 12, against Minnesota. That game will tip off at 7 p.m. on SEC Network+.
This story was originally published November 9, 2025 at 6:24 PM.
