Live Blog as Mizzou Looks For First Win Ever at Rupp Arena Against Kentucky

Missouri dug its heels in during the final minutes of a game against Kentucky Wednesday night, overcoming an eight-point deficit in the final to win 73-68.

The win is a historic one for the Tigers in two ways. It’s the first time in program history that Missouri has won at Rupp Arena against Kentucky and it’s the first time Missouri has started SEC play 2-0.

Kentucky seemed to be running away with the game after the Wildcats scored 11 unanswered points in the three minutes of the game. The run was highlighted by a heave for 3 from the free-throw line at the other end of the court from forward Otega Oweh.

After playing effective offense through the second half, Kentucky created its largest lead of the game with 4:37 remaining, holding a 66-58 edge.

But Missouri cut that in half in just 21 seconds to begin the comeback. The first key play came when guard Jayden Stone took a fast-break opportunity for a dunk. On the next possession, Stone scored on an open look from 3 to bring the game within one point. Kentucky responded with a two-point jumper to put its lead back at three points.

After two empty possessions, center Shawn Phillips Jr. then slammed down a dunk to again bring the game within one, putting the score at 67-68 with 1:03 remaining. Mark Mitchell then sank a jumper to give Missouri its first lead in over eight minutes.

Kentucky had the chance to re-take the lead after a steal, but Oweh failed to make a layup and Trent Pierce grabbed a rebound. This forced the Wildcats into desperation mode, having to foul.

Jan 7, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Anthony Robinson II (0) goes to the basket during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

After completing the comeback, Missouri now has earned its two best wins of the season after an underwhelming non-conference slate. The Tigers will still have to make up for the poor non-conference performance through the rest of the season, but it has been a complete turnaround to start SEC play.

Missouri will remain on the road, facing Ole Miss at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Live Updates

Final Stats

Second Half

:09 - Missouri 71, Kentucky 68

Jayden Stone makes two free throws to extend Missouri's lead.

1:03 - Missouri 67, Kentucky 68

Shawn Phillips Jr. leaps to slam down a dunk to make it a one-point game.

3:44 - Missouri 62, Kentucky 66

Missouri putting itself in position to make a comeback after scoring four points in 21 seconds, thanks to a steal that turned into a dunk for Jayden Stone.

8:15 - Missouri 51, Kentucky 52

A handful of Missouri players are already in foul trouble. Shawn Phillips Jr. is up to four, while Trent Pierce and Nicholas Randall are each up to three.

12:43 - Missouri 42, Kentucky 47

Missouri beginning to show some response, but Kentucky continuing to be efficient with tempo on offense. Wildcats made back-to-back 3s.

17:51 - Missouri 33, Kentucky 38

Missouri is absolutely overwhelmed to start the second half, causing Dennis Gates to call a timeout. Kentucky has scored 11 unanswered points since 17 seconds remained in the first half.

First Half

HALF: Missouri 33, Kentucky 32

The Wildcats are going into halftime absolutely buzzing, with Otega Oweh landing a 3 from the free-throw line at the other end of the court at the buzzer.

1:23 - Kentucky coach Mark Pope has been called for a technical foul for his reaction to what he wanted to be foul on a physical rebounding effort from Missouri forward Nicholas Randall.

3:24 - Missouri 28, Kentucky 25

Some missed opportunities and defensive breakdowns for Missouri in the last stretch, but still enough done for the Tigers to keep the lead. Otega Oweh scored a fast-break 3 to tie the game at 19 before Mark Mitchell sank a 3 of his own to put the lead back in the Tigers' hands.

.@Mark_mitchell25 quiets the Rupp crowd 🔇#MIZ 🐯 pic.twitter.com/6QPDcaoz75
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) January 8, 2026

6:54 - Missouri 19, Kentucky 17

Dennis Gates calls timeout after Kentucky scores five unanswered points to shorten the gap.

7:53 - Missouri 19, Kentucky 12

Missouri attacking the paint offensively. Specifically, the Tigers have been putting guard Jalaand Lowe in unfavorable matchups defensively. The Pitt transfer's defending ability is limited, as he's playing with a shoulder injury that caused him to miss time earlier this season.

11:23 - Missouri 12, Kentucky 10

Missouri starting to get more open looks offensively, but have missed four of its last five attempts. True freshman Nicholas Randall is again getting playing time early, checking in for Luke Northweather. Randall had the chance for a layup, but couldn't sink it.

15:19 - Missouri 6, Kentucky 6

Slower start to this game, as Kentucky has been unable to make the most of open looks, while Missouri has had trouble finding much open space against a tight Kentucky defense. Tigers just made their best play of the game on both ends of the court right before the U16 timeout, with Jayden Stone putting down an alley-oop, followed by Shawn Phillips Jr. swatting away a pass on defense.

Pre Game

Starting Lineups

Missouri	Kentucky
G Anthony Robinson II	G Otega Oweh
G Jayden Stone	G Denzel Aberdeen
F Jacob Crews	G Jaland Lowe
F Mark Mitchell	F Jayden Quaintance
C Shawn Phillips Jr.	F Mouhamed Dioubate

How to Watch: Mizzou men's basketball vs. Kentucky

Who: Missouri (11-3, 1-0 SEC) vs. Kentucky (9-5, 0-1 SEC)

What: Missouri's first SEC road game of the season.

When: Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6 p.m.

Where: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky

TV: ESPN2

Radio: Tiger Radio Network (Play-By-Play: Mike Kelly Color: Chris Gervino)

SiriusXM: Kentucky -84, Missouri - 381

Series: Kentucky leads 16-3, with Missouri's last win coming in December of the 2022-23 season.

Last Time Out, Missouri: The Tigers began SEC play with an upset over then-No. 22 Florida to create what is by far Missouri's best win of the season up to this point. Missouri held the lead for the 16 minutes of the second half, but the Gators kept chomping away to make for a close finish. Guard Anthony Robinson II landed a 3 with 21 seconds remaining to virtually seal the game for Missouri.

Last Time Out, Kentucky: The Wildcats lost on the road to then-No. 14 Alabama, falling 89-74. Oweh scored 22 and Lowe added 21.

Missouri Stat Leaders

Points: Mark Mitchell (16.9 on 56.5 FG%)
Rebounds: Mark Mitchell (5.4)
Assists: Anthony Robinson II (3.5 with 1.7 turnovers)

Kentucky Stat Leaders

Points: Otega Oweh (14.7 on 46.3 FG%)
Rebounds: Malachai Moreno (6.4)
Assists: Denzel Aberdeen (3.1 with 1.4 turnovers)