Monday night’s game provided fans with a clear look at how Mizzou basketball responds to adversity following tough losses.
In years past, one loss might have quickly spiraled into several, a recipe for disaster for a team aiming to compete late in the season. This time, however, Mizzou took the loss to heart and responded with a strong, cohesive team victory.
With the victory, the Tigers improved to 11-2 on the season, including an impressive 11-1 record at home.
Led by Mark Mitchell, Mizzou, coming off an eight-day break, wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. After taking an early lead, the Tigers never relinquished it, finishing just as strong as they started.
Dennis Gates had plenty of options, as every lineup he put on the floor performed.
Senior forward Caleb Grill, who led the team in scoring earlier in the season but hadn’t played since late November due to a neck injury, made his return to action tonight. Coming off the bench, as he has for most of the year, Grill wasted no time making an impact.
Oh how we've missed you, Caleb! 👌👌👌#MIZ 🐯 pic.twitter.com/jZocrUPmXC
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) December 31, 2024
In the first half, the Tigers struggled offensively, particularly from beyond the arc. They connected on just 4 of their 14 three-point attempts, shooting a modest 29%.
Although their three-point shooting was inconsistent, the Tigers found other ways to score effectively, maintaining a double-digit lead for most of the first half.
The Tigers also went a solid 10-of-12 from the free-throw line, with five of those coming from forward Mark Mitchell—a notable improvement that the coaching staff was eager to see.
In addition to a respectable shooting percentage in the first half, Mizzou forced several turnovers and consistently capitalized on them. The Tigers also dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Hornets by more than 10, showcasing their strength on both the offensive and defensive glass.
Senior Tamer Bates and sophomore Trent Pierce, both starters, each grabbed four defensive rebounds in the first half. Having all players aggressively crash the defensive boards is crucial, as it limits second-chance opportunities for the opposing offense.
A total of 12 Tigers saw action in the first half, with eight contributing to the scoring column. By halftime, Mizzou held a commanding 42-24 lead, dominating across the box score in nearly every facet of the game.
Things only improved as the second half began. Mizzou maintained a steady pace, steadily increasing their lead as the action got underway.
Mitchell and senior Tony Perkins made significant contributions early in the second half, each scoring multiple baskets within the first few minutes after the break.
The second half closely mirrored the first, with solid scoring and the offense capitalizing on opportunities from various spots on the court.
Shooting in the second half was nearly identical to the first, with continued struggles from deep. However, the Tigers capitalized on the majority of their attempts inside the paint and from the free-throw line—key improvements fans were eager to see following last week’s game.
The Tigers defended Alabama State's key playmakers effectively, significantly limiting their scoring opportunities throughout the second half. In fact, the Hornets had just one player score in double digits during the game.
Mizzou maintained a roughly 20-point lead throughout the final 20 minutes, even as their offensive scoring slowed down. It was encouraging to see the team play hard for the full 40 minutes, despite holding a comfortable lead for most of the game.
The Tigers closed out the game with a final score of 82-65. It was a complete team effort, with contributions from several players across Gates's deep roster in scoring, rebounding, and defensive play.
Rinse and repeat as it's all smiles for @Saucy___T #MIZ 🐯 pic.twitter.com/Lsrl8EVjPM
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) December 31, 2024
While this was the final game of the 2024 calendar year, the competition is just starting to intensify. Next Saturday, the Tigers will travel to Alabama to take on Auburn.
If Gates is ready to elevate his team to the next level and contend for a spot in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, these upcoming games present the perfect opportunity to make a statement and solidify their identity.