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  • No. 18 Mizzou Never Trailed as the Tigers Topped the UK Wildcats, 75-70

No. 18 Mizzou Never Trailed as the Tigers Topped the UK Wildcats, 75-70

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Basketball

Mizzou Men's Basketball never trailed for 40 minutes and downed Kentucky, 75-70, on Wednesday night at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers earned the second win over Kentucky in program history, with both coming during the Cuonzo Martin era.

Redshirt senior Dru Smith led all scorers with a season-high 26 points, including two 3-pointers and five assists. Dru has scored in double figures in seven consecutive games.

Mitchell Smith grabbed a season-high 12 boards to go along with five points and two assists. Mizzou outpaced Kentucky, 11-2, in second-chance points. Senior Mark Smith tossed in 11 points with three 3-pointers, hitting key shots in the second half to stave off a Kentucky comeback.

Mizzou led the Wildcats for the entirety of the game, leading by as many as 13 at halftime. Mizzou made nine triples and shot 43 percent from beyond the arc.

Turning Point

The Tigers started hot off the tip with eight of nine players finding the scoring column in the opening half. Kentucky answered with an 8-0 run to start the second half and made several spurts in the second half to get within one possession, but the Tigers responded and took back momentum each time. Dru's 12-of-14 clip at the free throw line helped prevent a Kentucky comeback.

Top Tigers

  • Dru Smith racked up a team high 26 points and pulled down a season high seven rebounds. Dru has reached double figures in seven straight games this season, and in 12 out of the Tigers' 15 contests.
  • Xavier Pinson finished the game with 14 points and now has scored in double figures 11 times this season. Pinson also added four assists and three steals.
  • Mark Smith scored 11 points and shot 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
  • Mitchell Smith corralled a season-high 12 boards.

Game Notes

  • Mizzou's victory over Kentucky was just its second in school history and ended a three-game slide vs. the Wildcats.
  • With the win, Mizzou improves to 12-3, the best 15 game start to a season since the 2013-14 squad started 13-2.
  • Mizzou has five of six games since coming off a COVID-pause in early January.
  • Mizzou has finished with three or more players in double figures in 12 of 15 games this season. Junior Xavier Pinson reached double figures for the 11th time this season.
  • Mizzou shot 42 percent from beyond the 3-point line, which marks the Tigers' second highest clip this season.
  • Dru's 26 points were his most in a game since scoring 28 points vs. Auburn on Feb. 15, 2020.
  • The Tigers hit seven threes in the first half tonight, which is the most in an opening frame this season and tied for the most in any half during the 2020-21 campaign.

Up Next                                                                               

No. 18 Mizzou hosts No. 18 Alabama in a Top-20 clash at Mizzou Arena on Saturday. The Tigers and Crimson Tide will tip off at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.