Live Blog of Mizzou at South Carolina

Missouri went through some ebbs and flows throughout, but the final score of its 19-point win over South Carolina was representative of how much the Tigers controlled the game against the Gamecocks on the road Saturday.

Despite Missouri leading by just seven with 7:31 remaining, South Carolina's defense had no answer for Missouri all game, leading the Tigers to secure a 78-59 win.

Missouri needed to survive Saturday with a win to keep its hopes for the NCAA Tournament alive.

Missouri had several opportunities to put away this game earlier than it did, including as early as the first 10 minutes of the game. But the Tigers had droughts without field goals that lasted 3:23, 2:39 and 3:47 through separate points throughout the game.

A 3 from guard Jayden Stone to extend Missouri’s lead from seven to 10 points with 7:17 remaining served as the final dagger, however. The Gamecocks failed to bring the game within 10 points following that deep make.

For Stone, it was his best shooting performance of the season, leading the Tigers with 22 points, including three makes on four attempts from 3. Stone also grabbed three rebounds and created two assists.

Feb 7, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Jayden Stone (17) celebrates a three point basket against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images | Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Forward Mark Mitchell also made a significant impact, recording a double-double by scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Missouri jumped out to a 21-8 lead in the first nine minutes of the game. But following that lead, South Carolina outscored Missouri 22-13 through the end of the first half. The Gamecocks brought the game within two points in the first 30 seconds of the second half.

But Missouri re-established control quickly in the second half by making five of its first eight shots from the field to begin the half.

Though offensive slumps have now become an expected part of every Missouri game, the Tigers did avoid one of its other common struggles by having a good day from the free-throw line, shooting 21-for-30 from the line (70 percent). Makes from the line were key to the Tigers gaining more separation in the second half.

However, the Tigers were giving free opportunities to the Gamecocks in the first half, with Missouri giving up 11 turnovers in the first half alone, just one fewer than its per game season average. South Carolina scored 13 points of those turnovers in the half to claw away at Missouri’s early lead.

In the first 10 minutes, the separation between the two teams was clear — both in quality and size. Early in the game, the Tigers were able to do virtually anything they wanted to offensively. Even if Missouri attempted a poor shot, it hardly mattered with how much the Tigers were dominating the offensive glass — the Tigers first points came on a third-chance opportunity. Missouri won the rebounding battle 27-15 in the first half, scoring 11 second-chance points.

Missouri’s size also made its offense able to control the paint early. The Tigers also built some confidence from 3-point range, starting the game shooting 4-of-9 on 3s while South Carolina missed all of its first 9 deep attempts.

Defensively, Missouri limited South Carolina to its second-lowest scoring performance of SEC play. Senior guard Meechie Johnson Jr., who entered Saturday averaging 16.5 points per game, had zero points in the first half after scoring 35 points against Texas in the Gamecocks’ last game. He ended the day with 13 points, five of which came from 8 of which came from free throws, shooting 2-for-13 from the field.

South Carolina is the lowest-scoring offense Missouri will face through the rest of the season. Questions of Missouri’s own offense remain valid and concerning. But moving to two games above .500 is a fine spot for the Tigers to be at in early February.

Missouri will remain on the road, traveling to take on Texas A&M at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Live Updates

Second Half

Final Stats

FINAL: Missouri wins 78-59

7:31 - Missouri 57, South Carolina 48

Missouri going through yet another offensive slump, not scoring any field goals in the last 3:33. South Carolina isn't taking advantage of it though, with the Gamecocks going through a drought of their own for 2:41.

12:42 - Missouri 49, South Carolina 36

Missouri now back in control of this game. South Carolina never managed to tie the game, despite coming within two points in the first minute of the half. Tigers have began the half shooting 5-for-8 while the Gamecocks are at 2-for-9.

First Half

First Half Stats

HALF: Missouri 34, South Carolina 30

Missouri seemingly became a little complacent offensively after taking a 21-8 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game. Too many turnovers and poor shot selections from the Tigers in the last 10 minutes of the half.

3:38 - Missouri 27, South Carolina 21

Jacob Crews lands a 3 to possibly stop a flood of a 13-3 run from South Carolina. Tigers have had too many empty possessions in that span, giving up four turnovers in the last 3:41 of play.

6:32 - Missouri 24, South Carolina 14

Anthony Robinson II just made his first 3 since Jan. 14, five games ago. He fought for a tough layup earlier in the game. This could serve as a real confidence builder for Robinson.

7:57 - Missouri 21, South Carolina 12

Missouri going through a scoring drought of 2:46, missing six straight attempts. Tigers are still dominating on the glass, but aren't having shots fall.

13:48 - Missouri 15, South Carolina 4

This game is already approaching ugly territory, as South Carolina calls a timeout after a clean Jayden Stone 3. Stone raced dwon to the 3-point arc from the other end of the court after a diving to throw a rebound back in. South Carolina can't rebound or shoot well so far.

18:22 - Missouri 4, South Carolina 2

South Carolina is last in the conference in rebound differential (-1.7), and it was evident on Missouri's first offensive possesion, with the Tigers scoring on a third chance. After South Carolina responded with two free throws, Missouri answered with a layup from Jayden Stone. Tigers have a clear size advantage today.

Pre Game

Starting Lineups

Missouri	South Carolina
G T.O. Barrett	G Kobe Knox
G Jayden Stone	G Meechie Johnson
F Trent Pierce	G Mike Sharavjamts
F Mark Mitchell	F EJ Walker
C Shawn Phillips Jr.	F Myles Stute

Availability Reports

Missouri
G Annor Boateng - OUT
F Jevon Porter - OUT
C Shawn Phillips Jr. - Active

Phillips sprained his ankle in the game against Mississippi State on Jan. 31, but was a full-go in practice this week. No timeline has been given for Porter's return, who has missed all of SEC play so far with a leg injury. Boateng was ruled out for the remainder of the season this week after undergoing surgery for a leg injury.

South Carolina
All available.

How to Watch

Who: Missouri (15-7, 5-4 SEC) vs. South Carolina (11-12, 2-8 SEC)

When: Saturday, Feb. 7, noon

Where: Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina

TV: SEC Network

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

SiriusXM: Missouri - 385, South Carolina - 386

Series: Missouri leads 10-9.

Last Time Out, Missouri: The Tigers had another game go down to the wire against Mississippi State, walking away with an 84-79 victory. Mark Mitchell led the Tigers with 19 points on 5-for-14 shooting.

Last Time Out, South Carolina: The Gamecocks lost a fourth straight SEC game against Texas in 84-75 fashion. Guard Meechie Johnson scored 35 points on 12-for-21 shooting in the process.