Missouri’s push for a 3–0 start in SEC play came undone Saturday evening in Oxford, where missed free throws and late-game execution issues stacked up in a 76–69 loss to Ole Miss at The Pavilion.
The Tigers had chances throughout — and even into the final minutes — but an inability to capitalize at the foul line loomed largest. Missouri finished the night just 12-of-24 on free throws, leaving 12 points unclaimed in a game decided by seven.
Missouri opened the contest sharp offensively, scoring on its first two possessions and building an early cushion behind strong ball movement and efficient interior scoring. Mark Mitchell set the tone early, attacking off the catch and facilitating when Ole Miss collapsed. The Tigers shot 52 percent in the first half and knocked down six three-pointers, briefly pushing the lead to double digits midway through the opening period.
Jayden Stone, continuing his post-injury surge, provided a spark from the perimeter. He hit three first-half threes and finished with 16 points, helping Missouri maintain control even as Ole Miss countered with runs fueled by turnovers and second-chance opportunities.
Despite the offensive rhythm, cracks began to show at the free-throw line. Missouri went just 4-of-8 at the stripe in the first half, leaving the door open for Ole Miss to stay within striking distance. The Rebels closed the half on a late three, taking a 37–36 lead into the break despite Missouri’s advantage in shooting efficiency.
Free throw issues continue to plague the Tigers
The second half unfolded as a series of missed opportunities for the Tigers. Missouri continued to score effectively in the paint — finishing 18-of-27 on two-point attempts — but the margin for error narrowed as free throws went awry. The Tigers shot 50 percent at the line after halftime, repeatedly failing to extend small leads or cut into Ole Miss momentum.
A critical stretch came around the 12-minute mark, when Missouri briefly reclaimed the lead behind interior buckets from Shawn Phillips Jr. Phillips was a near-perfect 6-of-7 from the floor and continued to be a reliable scoring presence around the rim. However, once Missouri entered the bonus, Phillips’ struggles at the line became a tactical concern. Ole Miss was content to foul, and Phillips went 0-for-3 on free throws — a sequence that stalled Missouri possessions and shifted leverage back to the Rebels.
That dilemma underscored a larger rotation issue. With Trent Burns seeing only seconds of action all season, Missouri lacks a clear alternative in late-game situations when free throws matter most. As a result, the Tigers were forced to live with the trade-off: elite efficiency at the rim paired with a liability at the stripe.
Ole Miss capitalized during the closing stretch, stringing together second-chance points and converting its own free throws. Malik Dia and AJ Storr combined to apply consistent pressure, while Missouri’s perimeter shooting cooled dramatically. After going 6-of-14 from three in the first half, the Tigers were just 1-of-10 from beyond the arc in the second.
Even then, Missouri remained within one or two possessions late. Mitchell continued to orchestrate, finishing with 20 points, seven assists, and eight rebounds, and the Tigers forced Ole Miss into several empty possessions inside the final four minutes. But missed free throws again proved costly, including empty trips during one-and-one situations that could have flipped the game’s final sequence.
Ole Miss closed the door at the line in the final seconds, while Missouri’s last attempts to generate offense came up empty.