Tamar Bates shines bright as Mizzou defeats Kansas in the Border War

The Missouri Tigers (8-1) couldn't have asked for a more complete victory over their border-state rival than the one they achieved on Sunday afternoon. They thoroughly dominated top-ranked Kansas in every aspect of the game.

The Tigers came ready to compete, showcasing their depth even in the absence of Caleb Grill. Their defense was impeccable, forcing 15 first-half turnovers, while their free-throw shooting was nearly flawless. Mizzou tripled Kansas's first-half free-throw attempts, highlighting the stark contrast in offensive aggression between the two teams.

Above all, it was the offense that set the tone and ultimately sealed the victory. Senior Tamar Bates was a standout performer, igniting the Tigers early. His corner three-pointer to open the scoring electrified the crowd and quickly snatched away any momentum the Jayhawks were looking to grab.

Bates also excelled defensively, particularly against Kansas's standout big man Hunter Dickinson, who has been a dominant force in the NCAA for the past four seasons. Dickinson struggled to make an impact, recording six turnovers—half of them while being defended by Bates.

The senior capped off the game with a season-high five steals, highlighting his significant impact on both ends of the floor.

In the first half alone, Bates tallied an impressive 18 points on an efficient 5-of-9 shooting from the field. His scoring included two three-pointers on four attempts and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Late in the first half, Bates sparked a personal 6-0 run, extending the lead to 17 points at the time.

His impact goes far beyond the numbers on the box score. On a team filled with underclassmen, having an experienced leader is crucial for any program aiming to make a deep run in March. Bates has consistently stepped up to provide that leadership, both on and off the court.

Early in the game, freshman Peyton Marshall checked in and found himself open driving to the hoop. However, he moved a bit too quickly, allowing a Kansas defender to draw a charge. Marshall, in his first season and still adjusting to college basketball, was visibly frustrated, walking back down the court with his head lowered.

Bates quickly caught up with Marshall and helped him refocus, getting his head back in the game. Shortly after, the 7-foot freshman made a big play by forcing a turnover against Hunter Dickinson, leading to points on the other end. It's clear that Bates commands a unique level of respect from his teammates, and his influence is valued amongst the squad.

Every time Bates, now in his second season with the Tigers since transferring from Indiana, touched the ball, it felt like a guaranteed bucket for the home team. He facilitated the offense with precision, consistently making the right play. Whether scoring himself or finding an open teammate, Bates was in complete control, orchestrating the offense to perfection.

Kansas didn’t make things easy, staying within striking distance throughout the game. The Jayhawks consistently made runs and capitalized on opportunities whenever Mizzou’s offense went cold.

With just over eight minutes remaining in regulation, the Jayhawks mounted a 15-2 run over a span of nearly seven minutes, threatening to shift the game’s momentum. Just as Kansas seemed poised to make a serious push, Bates stepped up with a crucial play. He battled for a tough rebound and delivered an accurate outlet pass down the court to Josh Gray, who drew a foul and managed to split the pair at the free-throw line, helping to steady the Tigers.

Bates delivered a game-changing performance, scoring 29 points and recording 5 steals on the defensive end. He shot an impressive 8-of-14 from the field and was flawless from the free-throw line, going 9-for-9, including two clutch free throws with 30 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

Bates' final bucket came on a layup with about a minute left, extending Mizzou's lead to nine and effectively putting the game out of reach. He immediately turned to the student section to celebrate, igniting the crowd and bringing the energy to its peak for the closing moments.

The Tigers hadn’t beaten the Jayhawks since early 2012, making this victory particularly meaningful for the entire team. With the win, they improved to 8-1 overall and remained undefeated at home with a perfect 8-0 record. Taking down the No. 1 ranked team in the nation adds a significant boost to their résumé, which should be important later in the season.

This win marks the first time Mizzou has defeated the AP No. 1 ranked team since 1997 and the fifth time in program history. The victory is particularly historic given the opponent—a long-standing rival—making the achievement even more special for the Tigers.

The season continues for the Tigers next Saturday morning at 11 a.m., as they take on the Long Island Sharks at Mizzou Arena in Columbia.