Live Blog of Mizzou at No. 20 Arkansas

After Mark Mitchell led Missouri to leading for most of the first half, foul trouble and Arkansas’ offense coming alive in the last 26 minutes of the game doomed the Tigers.

Missouri fell 94-86 to the Razorbacks on the road Saturday, being unable to draw up a comeback after trailing by 10 with 5:09 remaining.

A win could’ve solidified Missouri as a team deserving of a NCAA Tournament bid. But, the Tigers bought themselves some more insurance on this tough road trip after winning over No. 19 Vanderbilt.

But the loss was also not anything like the demoralizing loss the Tigers' suffered at Alabama in January. Missouri shot 55.4% from the field and had two players surpass 20 points. But Arkansas proved to be a deep, elite team.

Arkansas’ lead quickly expanded from five to what felt like an insurmountable 10 points with 5:11 remaining after Trevon Brazile scored on a layup, then a 3 on back-to-back possessions.

While trailing by 10 again with just under three minutes remaining, Missouri took some desperation shots, shooting three straight 3s that all missed. The Razorbacks added emphasis to the final score with a dunk from Malique Ewin to take a 12-point lead.

Turnovers in the second half disrupted the offensive rhythm Missouri had built early in the game. Missouri gave up 10 turnovers in that game that led to 18 points for the Razorbacks.

Trouble was spelt for the Tigers when guard T.O. Barrett was called for his fourth personal foul with 17:04 still remaining. Arkansas’ standout freshman Darius Acuff Jr. was a difficult defensive assignment for Barrett to avoid fouling. Defending Acuff and the rest of the Razorback offense became a much greater challenge after Barrett had to spend some time on the bench.

In the minutes after Barrett hit the bench, Jayden Stone made two 3s to keep the Tigers in it. But shortly after those makes, two 3s and a jumper from Billy Richmond III put Arkansas ahead by seven points.

The situation got worse for Missouri when by the time it was trailing by six points with 6:40 remaining, forward Trent Pierce and center Shawn Phillips Jr. both had reached their fourth personal foul.

Pierce was a key part of Missouri’s offensive comeback effort in the second half, scoring eight points, including two 3-point makes in the half before being called for his fourth personal foul.

This was the second game in the last three that Phillips reached four personal fouls early inside the final 10 minutes, with the same situation happening in the Tigers’ loss to Texas.

For all three of the players in foul trouble though, the Tigers opted to keep them in for most of the closing minutes, looking for anyway to generate a comeback effort.

Feb 21, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr (5) shoots during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Missouri controlled the game for most of the first half, but lost its grip in the final minutes of the half. The Tigers led for 12:20 of the half, leading by as much as eight points after Arkansas went through a drought of over five minutes without scoring on a field goal.

The lead was built by Mark Mitchell shooting well and fighting through contact in the paint, making six of his eight attempts in the half.

But Arkansas began to shift the game by finishing the first half outsourcing Missouri 23-9 in the final six minutes. After missing six straight field goal attempts in the middle of the half, Arkansas made nine of their last 10 attempts of the half.

Mitchell’s stretch early in the game was the best thing Missouri’s offense did all game. He ended the game with a team-best 26 points and eight assists. Pierce ended the game with 22 points, still making an impact while in foul trouble.

Missouri will return home to take on what could possibly be a third straight ranked opponent, hosting Tennessee at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Live Updates

FINAL: Missouri 86, Arkansas 94

Final Stats

Stats from Missouri's loss at Arkansas. — StatMonitr

6:28 - Missouri 71, Arkansas 78

More foul trouble for Missouri, as forward Trent Pierce and center Shawn Phillips Jr. are both up to four personal fouls. Arkansas' Trevon Brazile is up to four is own. Meanwhile, T.O. Barrett has returned to the court, also carrying four fouls with him.

7:02 - Missouri 70, Arkansas 76

3s have been keeping Missouri not too far behind, with Anthony Robinson II and Trent Pierce making back-to-back deep shots for the Tigers. Missouri needs to avoid turnovers in the final minutes here to complete a comeback though.

12:19 - Missouri 58, Arkansas 65

After Missouri was clawing close behind for the last handful of moments, Arkansas makes a huge 3 that feels like it could be a heavy momentum tilter.

Arkansas starting guard Meleek Thomas was grabbing his leg after Shawn Phillips' leg collided with his. After lying on the ground for a moment, Thomas is back on the court.

16:00 - Missouri 51, Arkansas 55

Darius Acuff Jr. is really hitting his stride early in this half. Missouri's offense has looked hurried at times, but a 3 from Jayden Stone keeps the Tigers within four.

17:04 - Missouri 48, Arkansas 52

T.O. Barrett checks out after already reaching his fourth personal. Going to be tough for the Tigers to manage this game with him in foul trouble.

First Half

First Half Stats

HALF: Missouri 41, Arkansas 47

Through all season, Missouri has had some great moments in the final minutes before half, and some pretty bad moments. The final minutes of this first half were a bad moment for the Tigers. Arkanas outscored Missouri 23-9 in the final six minutes of the half.

Officials are reviewing a skirmish that broke out right after time expired in the half.

3:50 - Missouri 37, Arkansas 35

Arkansas has brought the game within two points for the first time in 5:30 of play after D.J. Wagner fights through Jacob Crews and Mark Mitchell to put up a layup. The Razorbacks have now made five straight field goal attempts after a streak of missing six straight.

8:34 - Missouri 26, Arkansas 22

The increased opportunities for Trent Burns seemed to have carry into this game. He's been in for four minutes now and has put down two dunks in that time.

9:35 - Missouri 24, Arkansas 20

Each of the teams' best players — Mark Mitchell and Darius Acuff Jr. — are controlling this game so far. Acuff has eight points, while Mitchell has scored half of Missouri's total, scoring 12 by seemingly getting anything he wants in the paint. He's also up to three assists,

17:20 - Missouri 9, Arkansas 6

The ESPN broadcast is yet to switch over from the Vanderbilt-Tennessee game, but Missouri has jumped out to an early lead. On the Tigers' first defensive possession, Mark Mitchell grabbed a turnover that he turned into a dunk.

Pre Game

DELAY: ESPN announces the tip off for Missouri's game has been moved back to 3:10 p.m.

Starting Lineups

Missouri	Arkansas
G T.O. Barrett	G Meleek Thomas
G Jayden Stone	G Darius Acuff Jr.
F Trent Pierce	F Trevon Brazile
F Mark Mitchell	F Nick Pringle
C Shawn Phillips Jr.	F Billy Richmond III

Availability Reports

Missouri

Arkansas

How to Watch

Who: Missouri (18-8, 8-5 SEC) vs. Arkansas (19-7, 9-4 SEC)

When: Saturday, Feb. 21, 3 p.m.

Where: Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas

TV: ESPN

Radio: Tiger Radio Network (Mike Kelly, Color: Chris Gervino)

SiriusXM: Missouri - 389, Arkansas - 190

Missouri Stat Leaders

Points: Mark Mitchell (16.9 on 52.9 FG%)
Rebounds: Mark Mitchell (5.5)
Assists: Mark Mitchell (3.7 with 1.9 turnovers)

Arkansas Stat Leaders

Points: Darius Acuff Jr. (22.3 on 50.9 FG%)
Rebounds: Trevon Brazile (7.2)
Assists: Darius Acuff Jr. (6.2 with 2.0 turnovers)

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