University of Missouri
10-10 (2-5)
Georgia
11-9 (1-6)
Mizzou Men's Basektball Rallies from Down 20 to Defeat Georgia
1/28/2020 11:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Men's Basketball rallied from a 20-point deficit in the final 14 minutes to win in the closing minute against Georgia, 72-69 on Tuesday night at Mizzou Arena. The loss snaps a four-game losing streak for Mizzou (10-10, 2-5 SEC).
Senior Reed Nikko came up with the play of the night to seal the win. Georgia's Anthony Edwards drove in for a game-tying layup in the final 10 seconds, but he was met at the rim by Nikko – who swatted the ball from behind. Mitchell Smith grabbed the rebound and was fouled to put him at the line to clinch the game.
Nikko finished the night with a career-high 13 points – adding five rebounds and two blocks.
The Tigers ended the game on a 27-8 run over the final 10:30. Georgia (11-9, 1-6 SEC) led for 30:32 of game time, and held a double-digit lead for 15:14. Mizzou's defense held Georgia to a five-minute scoring drought in the second half to help fuel the comeback.
Sophomore guard Xavier Pinson scored a go-ahead layup with 37 seconds remaining to put Mizzou ahead 71-69. Five Tigers scored in double-digits on the night, led by 16 points from Pinson and Dru Smith.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 33-17 lead with 6:05 remaining in the first half. Mitchell Smith and Javon Pickett cut the deficit with a pair of threes to highlight an 11-2 run near the break.
TURNING POINT
With just over a minute remaining, Dru Smith pulled up for a jumper in the paint and was able to draw the foul. He converted the and-1 to put Mizzou up by two points. Georgia responded on the following possession to tie the game.
Mitchell Smith took a deep three on the opposite end the clanked out. A pair of Bulldog players fumbled the rebound, allowing Pinson to come up with the board. Pinson laid in the shot to give Mizzou the go-ahead basket. Nikko made his pivotal block on the opposite end to hold onto the win.
TOP TIGERS
- Reed Nikko set a career-high of 13 points on the night to go along with his game-winning block. Nikko also hauled in five rebounds and blocked two shots.
- Dru Smith scored 16 points behind a trio of threes on the night.
- Mitchell Smith drained a career-high three 3-pointers on the night, recording 12 points. He added seven rebounds.
- Xavier Pinson scored 16 points off the bench.
NOTES
- The Tigers overcame a double-digit halftime deficit for the first time since coming back from down 32-22 against Tulane in the 2016-17 season (Nov. 20).
- Mizzou outscored Georgia 42-27 in the second half.
- This is the first time this season the Tigers have won while being down at halftime.
- Mizzou's defense held Georgia to 36-percent shooting from the field, and nine-percent from beyond the arc in the second half.
- The Tigers recorded 11 assists on the night, and are 10-2 this season when recording more assists than their opponent.
- Xavier Pinson, Javon Pickett, Dru Smith, Reed Nikko and Mitchell Smith all finished with at least 10 points tonight. This is the first time five Tigers have scored in double-digits since Dec. 7, 2018 against Oral Roberts.
- Reed Nikko scored a career-high 13 points.
- Xavier Pinson exploded for a season-high 16 points, all coming in the second half. His previous high was 15 against Incarnate Word (Nov. 6).
- Mitchell Smith set new career highs in points (12) and made three-pointers (3).
- Dru Smith has made 29 consecutive free throws, 10 shy of Mizzou's individual consecutive free throw record.
- Dru Smith has recorded an assist in 62 straight games dating back to his time at Evansville. He has 35 straight multi-assist games.
- Dru Smith set a new season-high in three-pointers made with three triples. His previous high was two against Florida (Jan. 20).
- Javon Pickett scored 11 points on the night. Mizzou is 6-0 this season when Pickett reaches double figures.
- The Tigers have won four of the last five showdowns against Georgia, and have now won three-straight against the Bulldogs for the first time since winning the first four games of the series. Vanderbilt is the only other SEC school that Mizzou has won three-straight against.
- Mizzou's bench outscored Georgia's by three points (20-17). The Tigers are +99 in bench points their last 12 games, and +155 on the season. Mizzou has outscored or matched 16 of its opponents in bench production this season.
UP NEXT
Mizzou Men's Basketball travels to Columbia, S.C., this Saturday to face South Carolina. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcasted 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.
