COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men's Basketball (6-4) defeated Southern Illinois, 64-48, at Mizzou Arena on Sunday afternoon. Junior guard Mark Smith had a career day for the Tigers, scoring a career-high 23 points on seven made threes. The seven triples tied a Mizzou Arena record and marked the most 3-pointers in a game by a Tiger since Marcus Denmon sank seven on Dec. 2, 2011.
The Tigers have now won seven consecutive games over the Salukis (4-7) in the head-to-head series.
The Mizzou defense, ranked 28th nationally in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency rating, was firmly on display in the first half, holding its opponent to single digits over the first 10 minutes of action for the second-consecutive game. Mark Smith caught fire for Mizzou, drilling four triples and posting 12 points in the first half to help the Tigers head into the locker room up 33-22.
Mark Smith continued his hot shooting in the second half, while the Tiger defense held Southern Illinois to only 26 points and five field goals in the second half.
TURNING POINT
Junior guard Mark Smith recorded three-straight triples at the midway point in the first half, to power a 12-0 Mizzou run. Southern Illinois didn't reach the 10-point threshold until the 6:30 mark thanks to the tenacious Tiger defense. Mizzou never looked back, pushing the lead out to 26 in the second half, securing a 64-48 victory.
TOP TIGERS
- Junior guard Mark Smith led all scorers on Sunday afternoon, recording a career-high 23 points and a career-best seven 3-pointers. Smith also grabbed four rebounds and collected two steals.
- Sophomore guard Javon Pickett reached double figures for the second-straight game, scoring 13 points. He added five rebounds and one assist.
NOTES
- Mark Smith set career highs for points (23) and 3-pointers made (seven), while matching his career high for field goals made (eight). His seven 3-pointers tied the most made by a Mizzou player in Mizzou Arena history.
- Mark Smith's seven three pointers match the most made in a single game by a Mizzou player this decade. The seven three pointers are the most by a Mizzou player since Marcus Denmon nailed seven treys on Dec. 2, 2011 against Northwestern State. It marks just the 25th time in program history that a Mizzou player has made seven threes, and Smith is only the 12th Tiger player to do so.
- The Tigers are 3-1 when Mark Smith hits four or more three-pointers this season.
- For the second-consecutive game, the defense held the opposition to single digits over the first 10 minutes of the game. The Tigers held the Salukis to just 22 points in the first half, the fewest they've held an opponent to in a half since allowing just 22 vs. Incarnate Word (Nov. 6) in the season opener.
- Mizzou has held six opponents to under 60 points this season, already matching last season's total. In Cuonzo Martin's 75 games at Mizzou, the Tigers have held opponents to fewer than 60 points on 24 occasions. The previous Mizzou coaching regime accomplished the feat just 17 times over 95 games.
- Redshirt junior Dru Smith has now recorded an assist in 52-consecutive games, and a steal in 22-straight games, back to his time at Evansville.
Up Next
Mizzou will be back in action this Saturday (Dec. 21) as it heads to St. Louis, Mo., for the annual Braggin' Rights Game against Illinois. Tip-off is scheduled for noon on the SEC Network.
For all the latest on Mizzou's Men's Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MizzouHoops.
