ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Mizzou Men's Basketball (20-12) attempted a double-digit comeback, but ultimately fell short against Georgia (17-14), 62-60 in the second round of the Southeastern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament on Thursday afternoon at the Scottrade Center. The Tigers were able to pull even with the Bulldogs at one point after trailing by as many as 12 points in the second half, but a corner three-point attempt from senior guard Kassius Robertson (Toronto, Ontario) just fell of the rim as time expired, giving Georgia the two-point win.
Freshman forward Jontay Porter (Columbia, Mo.) led the Tigers with 20 points and eight rebounds, as he netted his second 20-point point game in the last three contests. Freshman forward Michael Porter, Jr., (Columbia, Mo.) returned to action for the first time since Mizzou's season-opener to contribute 12 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes of playing time.
TURNING POINT
After Georgia drilled a three-pointer to open the second half and take a 12-point lead, Mizzou responded with 15 of the game's next 18 points to tie the score, 39-39. Back-to-back three-pointers from Jontay Porter and Robertson pulled the game even with 14:11 remaining in the game. The Tigers were able to keep the game within striking distance for the remainder of the game, including a late surge to cut Georgia's lead from six to one after a three-pointer with 1:00 on the clock from Michael Porter, but Mizzou was unable to ever take the lead back.
TOP TIGERS
- Jontay Porter led the Tigers in scoring for the fourth time this season with 20 points. It's the second time this season Porter has reached 20 points, and the 17th time he has scored in double figures.
- Porter continued his remarkable season on the glass, as the Tiger freshman led the team with eight rebounds. Porter has snagged five or more rebounds in 27-of-32 games this season.
- Freshman forward Michael Porter returned to the Tigers' rotation for the first time since Mizzou's season-opener (Nov. 10), contributing 12 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench.
UP NEXT
Mizzou will now wait to learn its NCAA Tournament fate, as the annual Selection Show is slated to be broadcast on TBS at 5 p.m. CT on Sunday, March 11. If the Tigers were to be selected for the Big Dance, it would be Mizzou's first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2012-13.
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