Manhattan, Kan. – The Mizzou men’s basketball team is off to a winning start in the 2026-27 season, defeating Kansas State 71-67 in an exhibition contest.

MIZZOU LEADERS
Freshman Jason Crowe Jr. led all players with 21 points and three steals in his first game in the Mizzou Black & Gold.

Senior Trent Pierce also scored in double figures for the Tigers, tallying all 10 of his points during a key second-half run to put MU in front for good.

On the defensive end, sophomore Bryson Tiller led Mizzou with nine rebounds and five blocks, while fifth year Mark Mitchell added eight boards, including six on the offensive end.

GAME RECAP
The Wildcats opened the contest strong, knocking down triples on their first three possessions for the quick 9-0 lead. The Tigers, however, would settle down from there – forcing KSU to go scoreless on its next nine possessions as Mizzou would eventually draw even at 11. Kansas State would pull back in front, though, before heading into the locker room with a 32-27 advantage.

It was all Mizzou to start the second half, however, as the Tigers used a 13-0 run to begin the stanza – taking the lead and never giving it back. Pierce keyed the early spurt as he tallied all 10 of his points during a 21-7 stretch in the first eight minutes of the period for a 48-39 lead.

The Tigers lead extended to as many as 14 points 61-47 before the Wildcats made a final push. The hosts pulled within two 67-65 and held the ball in the closing seconds only for Tiller to reject his fifth and final shot of the game to preserve the Tigers victory.

GAME STATS
Mizzou shot 35.4 percent in the winning effort, while holding the Wildcats to 39.3 percent shooting. The Tigers collected 16 offensive rebounds and also won the battle at the free-throw line 17-10.

UP NEXT
The Tigers return to action on Thursday, playing at UNLV in its second and final exhibition. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. CT on MW+.