Tigers Complete Thrilling Overtime Victory Against SMU

COLUMBIA, Mo. — After going down 13 points in the second half, the Tigers shot 7-of-10 from the field in the final six minutes of Sunday night’s game, including nine points by Ronnie DeGray III, to force Mizzou’s first overtime game of the season. Mizzou defeated SMU, 80-75, moving to 2-0 in the Jacksonville Classic.

Mizzou is set to face off against Florida State tomorrow, Monday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. CT in the championship game of the Duval bracket.

“Great time win in a gritty, tough game,” said head coach Cuonzo Martin. “When you watch SMU on film they play experienced guards. The first seven guys off the bench were seniors. We knew they’d be tough. I think what changed it for us offensively was when DaJuan became more aggressive but also Kobe and Ronnie when they started to make their threes.”

Mizzou’s suffocating defense came out solid to open the game, holding SMU without a field goal for the first seven minutes. SMU however ended the half on a 18-0 run for a 29-18 lead. Jarron Coleman and Kobe Brown came out with a quick five points to open the second and cut the deficit to six, but SMU didn’t give way and quickly moved back to a 13-point lead.

Down 51-39 with eight minutes left in the game, the Tigers shrunk the lead to single-digits on a 3-pointer by DeGray III. DeGray III had nine points in less than two minutes, pulling the game within striking distance at 54-50. DaJuan Gordon then took over, completing the 23-9 Mizzou stretch to finish regulation, by contributing eight points of his own. Gordon sunk the game tying free throw with less than 30 seconds on the clock.

After not leading through the entire second half, Mizzou struck first in the overtime period on a pair of free throws by DeGray III. SMU took its final lead of the night at 68-66 on two free throws and a jumper before the Tigers closed down the stretch with 4-of-5 shooting and a perfect 5-of-5 look at the charity stripe.

Top Tigers

• Kobe Brown had his second-consecutive 20+ point performance, posting a career-high 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting. The stellar outing for Brown also included seven rebounds, two assists and a personal-best three three-pointers.
• DeGray III finished the night with a career-high 18 points, all of which came in the second half and overtime. He opened the first half without taking a shot.
• Brown and DeGray III have recorded double-digits in all four games this season.
• Amari Davis and DaJuan Gordon also recorded double-digits, tallying 14 points apiece. The 14 points are a season-high for both.
• Gordon also tacked on a team-best eight rebounds while Davis had six boards.
• Coleman led Mizzou with seven rebounds, a season-best and one off his career high.

Game Notes

• The all-time series against SMU moves to 10-4, in favor of the Tigers.
• Mizzou had 14 second chance points, while holding the Mustangs to just one.
• The 13-point comeback was the largest deficit Mizzou has comeback from since Jan. 28, 2020 against Georgia.

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