COLUMBIA, MO.—Head coach Cuonzo Martin earned his 250th career victory as Mizzou Men's Basketball scored an SEC-high 93 points in a 93-78 win over South Carolina on the road Saturday afternoon. The Tigers' snapped a 3-game skid with five different players scoring in double figures for the first time since Mizzou downed Oregon in December.
Senior forward Jeremiah Tilmon, Jr., returned from a two-game leave of absence following a death in his family and finished with 17 points on with perfect shooting night. Tilmon converted 5-of-5 field goals and 7-of-7 free throws, matching his career high.
Redshirt senior Dru Smith contributed 17 points, two steals, and a season-high seven assists. Junior Xavier Pinson contributed 16 points, two steals, three rebounds, and an assist. Sophomore Kobe Brown reached double figures for the second consecutive game for the first time this season.
The Tigers played efficiently on both ends of the court, holding the Gamecocks to 28 percent field goal shooting in the first half. Mizzou prevented South Carolina from going on a scoring run in the second half with eight steals and 15 points off turnovers.
Turning Point
Just over two minutes into the first half, Xavier Pinson hit a triple to put the Tigers ahead. Mizzou led for the ensuing 37:31 of game clock and led by 16 at the break. Mizzou led by as many as 20 in the second half, with help from an 8-0 spurt and a 7-0 run, and finished the game with a 15-point victory.
Top Tigers
- In his return from a two-game leave of absence, Jeremiah Tilmon shot a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, and 7-of-7 from the charity stripe en route to 17 points, four boards, and a block.
- Xavier Pinson chipped in 16 points, along with three boards, two rebounds, and an assist.
- Dru Smith shot 6-of-8 from the field and finished with 17 points, a season high tying seven assists, two steals and a rebound.
- Kobe Brown tallied 12 points, six boards, a season high three steals, and an assist.
- Mark Smith chipped in 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including three trifectas.
Game Notes
- Saturday's win was head coach Cuonzo Martin's 250th of his career.
- The win gave Mizzou its first regular season sweep of South Carolina since the 2013-14 campaign.
- Until Saturday, Mizzou hadn't notched a win in Columbia East since the 2017-18 season.
- At least nine Tigers found the scoring column for the sixth time this season.
- Five Tigers scored in double digits for just the second time this year (Oregon), the most in a season since the 2017-18 Tigers accomplished the feat in six games.
- Mizzou's 93 points marked its most this season in SEC play.
- After putting up 45 on the Gamecocks in the first half, Mizzou is now 8-0 this season when scoring at least 40 in the first half.
Up Next
Mizzou returns home to take on Ole Miss on Tuesday night at Mizzou arena. Tip-off between the Tigers and the Rebels is slated for 8 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
