Mizzou Loses Fourth Consecutive Game to Kansas, Falls to 7-3 Record
For the fourth straight time, the Missouri Tigers were unable to defeat the Kansas Jayhawks.
This time the score came much closer than the past couple seasons, losing by just nine points, 73-64.
Sean East II was the star of the game for Missouri, as typical for most games this season. The senior scored 21 points, three rebounds, six assists and two steals on 8-of-15 shooting, leading the offense and defense.
While he struggled to shoot the ball, Nick Honor also hit some big shots for the Tigers. He scored 17 points on 5-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-8 shooting from three.
The tale of the game can be told by the rebounding battle, as expected with the Jayhawks having 7-foot-2 center Hunter Dickinson. They out rebounded Missouri 42-25, while also shooting 10 more free throws.
K.J. Adams gave Missouri the biggest problems all night however, scoring 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting. He attacked the basket at will, using his high athleticism to soar over Tiger defenders, including making the play of the game by blocking freshman Anthony Robinson II on a fastbreak.
Dec 9, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Nicolas Timberlake (25) knocks the ball away from Missouri Tigers guard Sean East II (55) during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse.
© Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Honor got the scoring started for the Tigers, hitting a deep 3-pointer from NBA range. They came out with intensity to match the Kansas crowd, attacking the basket and getting psychical with the Jayhawk offense.
East commanded Missouri early in the game, scoring an early five points and forcing some Kansas turnovers. Bates hit a massive 3-pointer to put the Tigers up 15-6, causing the Jayhawks to call another timeout.
Kansas fought its way back though, only falling behind 20-17 at the 7:59 mark. Missouri followed with another deep 3-pointer from Honor and an East floater, but Kansas retaliated with a pair of shots at the basket by K.J. Adams Jr. and two 3-pointers.
The Tiger offense came to a screeching halt in the final few minutes of the half, air balling wide-open looks and giving up easy baskets. Overall it was a strong half, especially compared to the two previous seasons against Kansas, but some costly errors brought Missouri down 41-29.
The Tigers lacked the early intensity in the second half that they displayed in the first, doing little to change the lead to their advantage. Their offense lagged and open looks came few and far between, while the Jayhawks kept much of their offensive momentum going.
Connor Vanover started to find his way, using his frame to overreach Kansas defenders. The center had one of his best outings of the season, scoring 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
Missouri started to gain some momentum, but each time it seemed it was counteracted by Adams. The Tigers got within a score of 66-58, but a plethora of Jayhawk free throws secured the win for Kansas.
The Tigers will leave Kansas to play Seton Hall in Kansas City on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 4:00 p.m. CT.
