Mizzou basketball knocks off Wofford behind solid defense

Mizzou basketball returned home after a close loss to ranked Xavier and defeated a Wofford team that won 30 games last season.

Mizzou basketball put together a solid schedule to help its tournament resume down the road. In order for that to matter, the Tigers have to play solid as a team. They’ve done that in their first four games of the season.

The Tigers knocked off Wofford 75-56 on Monday at Mizzou Arena. They did so by not allowing a Terrier basket in the final 14 minutes. Mizzou basketball probably will have a stout defense as long as coach Cuonzo Martin is at the helm. It seems so far this year, that is true. And it definitely was true Monday.

Wofford shot 36 percent from the field while the Tigers nailed 55 percent of their shots. The teams went back and forth in the first half before Mizzou took a 36-31 lead into halftime. Wofford last led 41-40 at the 17-minute mark before back-to-back Jeremiah Tilmon dunks.

It was tied at 45 before the defense stopped the Terriers and the Tigers began to separate themselves for the victory. Mizzou basketball was led by junior guard Mark Smith in this one.

Smith hit four outside shots, going 4 of 8 from the 3-point line. He led the Tigers with 19 points. Mizzou shot 39 percent from outside, which is better than it has been. Though the 3s haven’t fallen this season, Mizzou is getting good nights from its go-to guards.

Dru Smith was the top scorer against No. 21 Xavier, while Mark Smith led the Tigers against Northern Kentucky and Wofford.

Tilmon also had a great night. The junior scored 16 points, going 6 of 7 from the field.

Mizzou next plays Morehead State on Wednesday night. After that, the Tigers play Butler in the Hall of Fame Classic at the Sprint Center. Like the Tigers, Butler defeated Wofford by 19 points last weekend.