CINCINNATI – Mizzou Men's Basketball (2-1) fell on the road to No. 21 Xavier in overtime, 63-58, on Tuesday night at the Cintas Center. The Tigers countered a tough first half with a solid run in final three minutes of the opening period.
Mizzou closed the half on a 9-1 run that cut Xavier's 15-point lead to single digits. A dunk from freshman Kobe Brown, a Dru Smith steal leading to a layup and a Mark Smith buzzer-beating 3-pointer as time expired left the Tigers down just seven points at halftime.
The Tigers maintained momentum to start the second half with an immediate three from Dru Smith that cut Mizzou's deficit to 28-24. Another 10-0 run ensued at the midpoint of the second half for Mizzou, after a Tilmon, Jr., dunk and a Tray Jackson 3-pointer. Dru Smith followed with a layup near the 11-minute mark, putting the Tigers ahead for the first time since they led 4-3 to start the contest. Dru Smith again converted from beyond the arc at the 6-minute mark with a deep 3-pointer, beating the shot clock to polish off a 19-4 run and give Mizzou a 43-38 lead with 5:56 remaining.
The Musketeers answered in the final five minutes to send the game to overtime, as Mark Smith missed a potential game-winner from deep in the final seconds. Xavier took control of the contest early in overtime to build a 7-point advantage, but again Mizzou fought back and sliced the deficit to two with 23 seconds remaining. Xavier managed to seal the overtime win with clutch free throws to end the extra period.
TURNING POINT
Xavier took charge early in overtime behind Jason Carter, who converted a layup, fought for an offensive rebound and then sunk a pair of free throws, putting the Musketeers in a commanding position with only a couple minutes left. Dru Smith kept the Tigers in it drawing fouls and converting free throws, but Mizzou's effort came up just short in overtime.
TOP TIGERS
- Redshirt junior guard Dru Smith put together a career performance. He led all scorers with 22 points and added a career-high 10 rebounds to secure his first career double-double. Smith also dished four assists, collected three steals and took a key charge for Mizzou down the stretch in regulation.
- Sophomore guard Xavier Pinson played a major role off the bench Tuesday night, recording nine points, converting four shots from the field, including a monster dunk to put Mizzou up three with just over a minute remaining in regulation.
- Junior Jeremiah Tilmon, Jr., posted eight points and four rebounds despite playing limited minutes in the opening half.
NOTES
- Mizzou held Xavier to 63 points on Tuesday. The Tigers have held opponents to fewer than 70 points 41 times in 68 games under head coach Cuonzo Martin, which amounts to 60.3-percent of games with him at the helm.
- Mizzou has now outrebounded all three of its opponents to begin the season and have done so 45 times during the Martin era after outpacing the Musketeers, 44-43 on the glass.
- Mizzou held Xavier to just 32.8 percent shooting from the field. It marked just the eighth time Xavier shot 33 percent or worse in a game since 2010 and just the second time since 2017.
- Dru Smith is the first Tiger to record at least 22 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in the same game since Laurence Bowers tallied 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists vs. Illinois on Dec. 22, 2012.
UP NEXT
Mizzou Men's Basketball returns home next Monday, Nov. 18, as the Tigers take on Wofford. The game is scheduled to tipoff at 7 p.m. CT on SEC Network Plus.
For all the latest on Mizzou Men's Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team @mizzouhoops (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook).
