NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Mizzou Men's Basketball (20-13) fell to Florida State (21-11) on Friday night at Bridgestone Arena, yielding its NCAA Tournament First Round game against the Seminoles, 67-54. Although the Tigers were able to cut what was a 22-point halftime deficit all the way down to six points, the Black & Gold was never able to fully overcome the FSU offensive explosion from the first period of play.

The Tigers were once again led by graduate senior Kassius Robertson (Toronto, Ontario) who left it all on the floor in his final game for the Tigers. Robertson scored 19 points in the game, shooting a red-hot 6-for-10 from beyond the arc, which tied his season-high in three-pointers made. Freshman forward Michael Porter, Jr. (Columbia, Mo.) also registered his first career double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.

TURNING POINT

The Tigers would fight back from a 22-point halftime deficit and cut the FSU lead to only six points midway through the second half, but the Seminoles would never relinquish the lead they built in the first period of play. As soon as the Tigers appeared to be back in the game, Florida State reeled off a 15-0 run to keep Mizzou at a safe distance.

TOP TIGERS

• Junior forward Kevin Puryear (Blue Springs, Mo.) had a strong game, scoring eight points while pulling down five rebounds.
• Freshman forward Jontay Porter (Columbia, Mo.) was once again a defensive menace at the rim for the Tigers, blocking two shots and grabbing six rebounds. Porter also dished five assists in the game.