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MBB_LSU
78
Missouri Mizzou 11-13,3-8 SEC
82
Winner LSU LSU 18-6,9-2 SEC
Missouri Mizzou
11-13,3-8 SEC
78
Final
82
LSU LSU
18-6,9-2 SEC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Missouri Mizzou 43 35 78
LSU LSU 37 45 82

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Mizzou Men’s Hoops Falls Short in Road Battle at No. 25 LSU, 82-78

Dru Smith led four Mizzou players in double figures with 20 points

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men's Basketball battled to the final minute at No. 25 LSU, but fell just short, 82-78. Mizzou shot 51.7 percent as four different players scored in double figures. Dru Smith led Mizzou with 20 points, reaching that mark for the seventh time in his career.

Mizzou held a six-point halftime lead and owned a 69-65 advantage with 6:41 to play, but LSU surged ahead late and held off the road Tigers to escape with a victory. Senior Reed Nikko reached double figures for the second consecutive game and finished with 13 points and eight boards. Javon Pickett and Mitchell Smith added 10 points apiece while freshman Tray Jackson added nine points off the bench.

Mizzou's bench outscored LSU's 23-2, and head coach Cuonzo Martin's squad had eight more assists than the home team on the night, but LSU countered with 21 more trips to the free throw line than Mizzou.

TURNING POINT

Coming out of the under-8 media timeout, Mizzou led 69-65 after Pickett sunk a floater in the lane. LSU responded with an 11-2 run to take its first lead since early in the opening half. Mizzou would close the gap to one possession again on another Pickett bucket with 50 seconds remaining. LSU got a key offensive rebound on the ensuing possession and made a game-sealing jumper from the short corner to stave off Mizzou's effort.

TOP TIGERS

  • Reed Nikko reached double figures for the second consecutive game for the first time in his career with a career-high tying 13 points and eight boards. He's averaging 9.6 points per game since Jan. 28.
  • Dru Smith reached the 20-point plateau for the third time this season and added five rebounds, four assists and three steals in a gutsy performance.
  • Xavier Pinson stuffed the stat sheet again with nine points, a career-high seven assists and six rebounds.
  • Javon Pickett finished with 10 points. Mizzou fell to 7-1 when he reaches double figures.

NOTES

  • Dru Smith has now tallied multiple steals in a game 14 times in 24 games this season after collecting another three thefts vs. LSU on Tuesday.
  • Mizzou has forced 10+ turnovers in 23 of 24 games, including every SEC game this season after forcing 10 on Tuesday.
  • The Tigers' bench is now +187 on the season after Mizzou's bench outscored LSU's 23-2.

NEXT UP

Mizzou returns home to face No. 11 Auburn on Saturday evening. Tip off on the SEC Network is set for 5 p.m. CT at Mizzou Arena.

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.

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