Fresh off a dominant win over LSU on Tuesday night, the Missouri Tigers remained in Columbia and delivered another strong performance on Saturday, securing a 75-66 victory over Vanderbilt at Mizzou Arena.
The Tigers came out firing, with Tamar Bates opening the scoring and Mizzou hitting their first four shots from beyond the arc. Anthony Robinson II set the tone early, scoring 11 first-half points while spearheading an impressive defensive effort that energized the team.
Mark Mitchell was a game-changer for the Tigers, leading the team with 19 points. His clutch performance included a critical and-1 play with 1:20 left, extending Mizzou's lead to eight points and sealing the victory.
For Mizzou, creating turnovers and capitalizing in transition has been a cornerstone of their game plan, and this contest was no exception. Anthony Robinson II spearheaded a strong defensive effort that forced 14 turnovers, contributing three steals himself and helping the Tigers maintain control throughout the game.
Despite holding a 9-point lead at halftime, Mizzou faced a strong second-half push from Vanderbilt, led by Jason Edwards, who finished with 20 points. The Tigers' 16-point advantage dwindled to just one point with five minutes remaining, creating a tense finish.
Despite Vanderbilt's second-half surge, Mizzou held their ground. Key late-game shots from Mark Mitchell and Tamar Bates helped the Tigers secure a nine-point victory, sealing the 75-66 win in front of their home crowd.
One notable takeaway from this victory was Mizzou's ability to close out the game despite some struggles late. The Tigers turned the ball over 10 times in the second half and missed key opportunities at the free-throw line, going 17-of-25. Even with these challenges, they managed to maintain composure and secure the win.
With the win, Mizzou now turns its attention to a challenging road game in Gainesville, Florida, where they will face a formidable Florida team. This matchup is one of the toughest on the Tigers' schedule, with tipoff set for 8 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Jan. 14.