Mizzou Suffers 24-Point Loss to Mississippi State, Continues Losing Streak
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Early on in the second quarter, Missouri Tigers men’s basketball fans felt the sentiment that Taylor Swift described in her song “exile”; “I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending.”
Except this film has been playing on a loop constantly for the past two months as the Tigers have now lost 11 in a row. On Saturday night, the Tigers suffered a 75-51 loss in familiar style to Mississippi State.
After the first half, Missouri fans might’ve been led on to believe Saturday night might be different. The game where the Tigers would finally turn things around. Two straight three-point makes from graduate guard Nick Honor in the final minutes of the half quickly shortened the Missouri deficit from 10 to four.
The half wasn’t the prettiest for the Tigers. They had given up 10 turnovers and Honor was the only player with over five points. But the game was close in reach, a rare scene so far throughout the conference season for Missouri.
But the Bulldogs came out of halftime with much more energy and quickly deflated the hope Missouri had built. Mississippi State went on a 20-to-4 run in the first 10 minutes. Missouri’s nine minute field goal drought could’ve been considered a plot twist if it wasn’t so typical from the Tigers.
The Tigers were without leading scorer Sean East for a second time in a row on Saturday night. The graduate guard suffered a knee injury against Vanderbilt on Feb. 3 and the Tigers’ offense has clearly been lacking his leadership and scoring ability.
Without East, the Mississippi State defense was able to key in on Honor. Few outside of Honor and junior guard Tamar Bates have consistently produced offensively. Saturday night was not Bates’ best showing as he went 2-for-10 from the field with zero assists. Honor was the only Missouri player to score over 10 points, contributing 29 percent of Missouri’s total points.
After a first half where Honor scored 10 points, Mississippi State was able to key in on Honor and hold him to just five points in the second half. Limiting Honor’s production left the Missouri offense with few other options. The offense mostly look disjointed and gave up 20 turnovers.
The loss put Missouri’s record down to 8-16. The Tigers will next play on Saturday, Feb. 17, when they travel to Oxford to take on Ole Miss at 7:30 p.m.
Who: Missouri (8-15, 0-10) vs. Mississippi State (15-8, 4-6)
When: Saturday, Feb. 10th at 7:30 p.m. CT
Where: Mizzou Arena
TV: SEC Network
Last outing, Missouri: The Texas A&M Aggies defeated the Tigers at Mizzou Arena on Wednesday night 79-60. Guard Tamar Bates led the Tigers with 20 points on the night.
Last outing, Mississippi State: The Bulldogs beat the Georgia Bulldogs at home on Wednesday night, 75-62. Forward Tolu Smith III led Mississippi State in points with 19.
Last meeting: The last meeting between the two programs was a little under a year ago on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. The Tigers defeated the Bulldogs at home 66-64 in overtime.
Live Updates: [Refresh this article for live updates, most recent at the top]
Pregame:
Point guard Sean East (knee) and forward Trent Pierce (illness) will miss tonight's game. This is the second straight absence for East, the Tigers' leading scorer.
Starting Fives:
Missouri
Tamar Bates
Curt Lewis
Nick Honor
Jordan Butler
Noah Carter
Mississippi State
Shakeel Moore
Shawn Jones Jr.
Josh Hubbard
Tolu Smith III
Cameron Matthews
Second Half:
FINAL: Missouri 51, Mississippi State 75
5:09 - Missouri 50, Mississippi State 64. Missouri's biggest loss so far this season is 24-points against Illinois
5:09 - Missouri now up to 20 turnovers
12:43 - Slam dunk to put Mississippi State up by 20 feels pretty deflating.
13:34 - Mississippi State has focused on stopping Nick Honor and Missouri has no second option. Tigers haven't made a field goal in six minutes. Missouri 30, Texas A&M 48
16:25 - Shakeel Moore has been perfect from outside the arc tonight, 4-4. Missouri 28, Mississippi State 38
19:15 - Curt Lewis scores his first points of the night on a layup where he showcases the physicality Missouri will need to win this.
First Half Stats:
Pretty remarkable that Missouri only trails by five despite 10 turnovers and Nick Honor as the only player with over five points.
First Period:
END OF HALF: Missouri 26, Mississippi State 30
.30 - Nick Honor has made two-straight threes since the last update.
2:30 - Shakeel Moore makes a second three-point shot. Success from outside the arc is a big separator so far tonight. Mississippi State has four makes, only one for Missouri.
4:01 - Dennis Gates has been visibly angry with officiating tonight. Giving an earful to the ref after the call on Robinson.
4:01 - Anthony Robinson called for a blocking foul, his third. Staying on the deck with his hands over his face.
7:31 - Missouri 15, Mississippi State 19 at the media timeout.
9:02 - Missouri already up to five turnovers. Missouri 10, Mississippi State 18
10:07 - Carralero Martin misses two free throws. Missouri has been outscored 9-2 in the last six minutes.
12:52: Jesus Carralero Martin checks in for the first time in four games and makes a layup. Missouri 8, Mississippi State 10
14:11 - Josh Hubbard makes a three for the first score for either team in over two minutes. Missouri 6, Mississippi State 8
15:49 - Missouri 6, Mississippi State 5 at the media timeout.
16:30 - Mabor Majak is checking in for the first time. Scored his first points last game.
16:33 - Jordan Butler sinks two free throws to give Missouri a 6-5 lead
