How the final minutes of Missouri-Ole Miss unfolded — with some big missed chances
It was a game of momentum-shifting plays, and Mizzou had several chances to seize control of it.
But the Tigers failed to follow through when it mattered most.
Ole Miss robbed Missouri of its first 3-0 start in conference play since the 2000-01 season — and its first 3-0 start ever in the Southeastern Conference — with its 76-69 victory Saturday in Oxford, Mississippi.
With 1 minute, 8 seconds left on the clock, the Rebels held a three-point lead. It was a one-possession game with plenty of time for the Tigers. They just needed one stop.
Ole Miss’s AJ Storr created space from graduate guard Jacob Crews and sent a 3 sailing toward the hoop. Crews jumped forward from his defensive position to contest the shot, but it careened over his fingers and then straight down after missing off the front-rim.
Senior Anthony Robinson II and junior Trent Pierce both had position to secure the rebound, but got caught in a battle between themselves that caused the ball to pop out just enough for Ole Miss’ Malik Dia to swoop in.
The Ole Miss possession continued, giving it 20 more seconds to score. The Rebels exhausted the entire shot clock, with Storr driving into the lane when two seconds remained. Storr missed the layup and went flying out of bounds, but Augusto Cassia was there to finish what he started, tipping the ball into the bucket and upping the margin to five.
By the time Cassia put the ball in the hole, there were only 34.5 seconds left for Mizzou to respond.
Senior Mark Mitchell put a dent in the momentum when he drew a foul on a drive to the hoop, sinking both free throws on a night of substandard free throw shooting. Robinson built on that, drawing a foul the next time down the floor. He went 1-for-2, bringing the score to 73-69 in favor of the Rebels.
From there, Mizzou didn’t have another opportunity to get back in the game.
Though the Tigers had momentum-shifting opportunities, Ole Miss responded to each play with one of its own to retake control. Mizzou paid the price in the form of a new 2-1 SEC record.
“We were in a situation where we were able to get a stop, but we weren’t able to secure the rebound,” Mizzou coach Dennis Gates said. “And that’s where we’ve got to be able to execute and secure the basketball.”
Despite the loss, Mitchell had a standout showing, dropping 20 points and securing eight rebounds with seven assists. He led in all three categories for the Tigers. Graduate guard Jayden Stone was the next top scorer with 16 points, 12 in the first half. Robinson was next in assists with six.
After two above-average scoring games for Robinson, he finished with only six points against the Rebels. Conversely, senior center Shawn Phillips Jr. had a stellar night with 12 points.
In the middle minutes of the second half, Phillips had one of the opportunities to turn the tables in favor of the Tigers. Ole Miss’ James Scott was called for a flagrant foul against Stone during a box out, which Stone took advantage of, sinking both free throws. On the ensuing inbounds pass, Mitchell earned an and-one where he tied the score 53-53.
On the next offensive possession, Phillips slammed home an electric dunk. He, too, was fouled on the shot, giving him the potential for a three-point play. But the referees made two calls in the aftermath of Phillips’ dunk: one for the Tigers and one against. Phillips started down Cassia as he landed, earning him a technical foul and draining the momentum Missouri had just built up.
Overall, Missouri’s shooting couldn’t keep up with Mississippi’s and the Tigers forfeited momentum in crucial points to the Rebels.
Missouri will next take the court against Auburn at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Mizzou Arena.
Copyright 2026 Columbia Missourian
This story was originally published January 10, 2026 at 11:02 PM with the headline "How the final minutes of Missouri-Ole Miss unfolded — with some big missed chances."