Missouri Falls to Georgia in SEC Tournament Despite Best Efforts
Time and time again through Missouri men's basketball's winless conference season, it's come close to winning so many times. Once again, the same result struck it against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first round of the SEC Tournament, falling 64-59.
It was a tight contest for most of the second half, coming down to the very last second. The Tigers had several opportunities to make the go-ahead bucket — including a 3-point attempt from Noah Carter with a few seconds left — but just couldn't close out.
That issue plagued Missouri all season long, despite its willingness to still make games close even through adversity. The first 10 minutes of the contest looked like some of the worst offense it played throughout the year, but it overcame that issue to even gain the lead for parts of the second half.
Connor Vanover arguably had his best performance of the entire season when it mattered most, recording 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and a steal. Noah Carter and Tamar Bates each brought an efficient 11 points, but its two main veterans at the guard position struggled.
Sean East II and Nick Honor combined for 23 points on 7-of-28 shooting, each struggling offensively for most of the contest. The shots they made were huge and swayed momentum in the Tigers' favor, but it wasn't enough to lead them past the Bulldogs.
Missouri's 4-of-21 3-point line was massively outdone by Georgia's 12-of-29, easily being the biggest reason as to why it couldn't come out with a win. Blue Cain gave it problems all night, scoring 19 points with a 5-of-9 split from behind the arc.
The Tigers fought until the very end even with how tumultuous their regular season was, failing to ever give up hope of making the season worth something. It's yet another sting they have to deal with, but at least they went out fighting.
Second Half
- 0:00: So close, but couldn't finish the job. The story of the entire season. Carter had a great look but just couldn't get it to go.
- 15.2: The Tigers had three chances on their last possession, but couldn't get a shot to go. Down three, could tie or go for two due to the time still left on the clock.
- 42.6: Tensions are high in Nashville. Missouri is down 59-60, and the intensity has been high on both sides. Tiger ball with one of its final attempts to gain the lead.
- 5:56: Blue Cain is killing the Tigers from 3-point range, bringing his point total up to 17 on the night after another wide-open attempt found the bottom of the net. It's a one-point game in Missouri's favor, but it has to hold him down to win this game.
- 12:16: Vanover is having his best game as a Tiger. He's got eight points, eight rebounds, two assists, three blocks and a steal, playing a major role in how Missouri has this lead.
- 14:06: Who would've thought? Missouri now has an eight-point lead, 43-35.
- 16:28: The Tigers gained their first lead of the night, now leading 38-35. Carter has really come alive, hitting a layup and 3-pointer so far in the half.
First Half
- END OF HALF: Missouri 30, Georgia 31
- 0:00: A solid stretch in the final couple minutes of the half brings it to a one-point game. East II capped it off by making an and-one layup off the backboard with 0.8 seconds left, giving him his first points of the night.
- 2:24: Missouri is starting to close the game, but still has some frustrating shot selection and defensive issues. Georgia is starting to heat up from behind the arc, shooting 6-of-14. Missouri 20, Georgia 29.
- 9:55: Sean East II is having his worst start to a game at the worst moment. As of being subbed out for the first time, he has zero points on 0-of-6 shooting. He's been the Tigers' best player, so without him playing up to par they have no momentum.
- 12:52: Bulldogs have a 7-0 run in the last 2:59, as Missouri shoots 1-of-9 from the field. Although it went winless in the regular season, this is one of the slower starts of offense it's had all year.
- 15:26: Slow start offensively for both sides. The score sits at just 6-3 in Georgia's favor during the first break of the game, all points coming from 3-pointers.
Starting Lineups
| Missouri Starting Lineup | Georgia Starting Lineup |
|---|---|
Tamar Bates | Blue Cain |
Nick Honor | Noah Thomasson |
Trent Pierce | Silas Demary Jr. |
Sean East II | Dylan James |
Connor Vanover | Russel Tchewa |
