NASHVILLE, Tenn. â Missouri began the postseason by getting back into the win column.
The No. 7 seed Tigers held off No. 10 seed Mississippi State for an 85-73 victory in the second round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Thursday, overcoming turnover issues and a starâs injury to snap a three-game losing streak.
Power forward Mark Mitchell left the game with a right knee injury, which challenged Mizzou's depth and could be an impactful absence for the rest of MU's postseason run.
Guard Tamar Bates reappeared after a recent slump to score 22 points. Point guard Tony Perkins was clinical in the paint and finished with 18 points. Center Josh Gray secured a season-high 12 rebounds despite an injury and foul trouble.Â
Guard Josh Hubbard led the Bulldogs with 22 points.Â
People are also reading…
The opening minutes were shaky for Missouri as Mississippi State took an immediate lead and point guard Anthony Robinson II found himself in foul trouble. After a fiery Dennis Gates spent much of the first media timeout in the ear of an official, Mizzou pieced together a 10-0 run to take over the lead.Â
The Bulldogs recovered and tied the game at 34-all with two minutes and change to play in the first half, but the Tigers took home the final five points of the frame for a 39-34 advantage at halftime.
MU's last possession of the half was a crisply designed set play, leading to an open first 3-pointer of the day for guard Caleb Grill. A Mississippi State assistant coach recognized what the play was building toward and yelled out where the shot would come from â the left wing â but his mid-sequence instructions made no difference.
Mississippi State tied the game just a few minutes into the second half, but there were injury concerns for the Tigers, too. Mitchell's absence became evident when he started the second half on a stationary bike behind the team bench, and Gray left the contest early in the second half â with cramping, per a team spokesperson â after a dunk that seemed to hurt his calf. With frontcourt depth suddenly called upon, Aidan Shaw played plenty in the second half.
After the Bulldogs scored eight straight points to take a lead with about 10 minutes left, two MU shooters went to work. Forward Trent Pierce was left open to knock down a trey from the top of the key, then Bates cashed in a stepback from the left wing off of one leg, giving Missouri a 58-57 lead with 8:33 to play.
Mizzou entered the final two minutes with a four-point lead and, after blowing such an advantage the last time it played in Nashville â a couple of weeks ago at Vanderbilt â held on.Â
Takeaways
- The win provides some late stability to Missouri's NCAA Tournament resume, which had taken a hit in recent weeks. The Tigers added to their case for a No. 6 seed in March Madness and kept hopes of securing a No. 5 next to their name alive.
- MU, even during its three-game losing skid that closed out the regular season, was generally able to avoid turnover issues. But a problem holding onto the ball reared its head early, keeping the Bulldogs in the game even as the Tigers came away with better shots. After turning the ball over 10 times total in each of its last two games, Mizzou coughed it up nine times in the first half and four in the second half before improving ball security in the minutes it mattered most.Â
- How serious is Mitchell's knee injury? He wasn't wearing a brace, ice or anything else of note on the joint during the second half, and further testing might well be necessary for Missouri to know. But while the Tigers are a deep team, an All-SEC player like Mitchell missing time wouldn't bode well for the rest of the postseason.
Key moment
Inside the final three minutes, Perkins went inside. A craft post move and finish off the glass got the point guard a bucket and gave Mizzou a five-point lead at a key point in the game. He flexed his arms in celebration as he backpedaled down the floor, and the Tigers forced a turnover out of the Bulldogs. A free throw from Robinson on that possession gave MU a six-point lead, at the time its biggest of the second half.
Key stat
36.4%:ÌęThat's what Missouri's defense held Mississippi State to shooting from the field, the lowest field goal percentage an opponent has posted against the Tigers in the last eight games.Â
Up next
Mizzou's win advances the Tigers to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament, where they'll face No. 2 seed Florida at 6 p.m. Friday. MU beat the Gators 83-82 on Jan. 14 in Gainesville, but UF (27-4 overall, 14-4 SEC) has lost just one of its last 10 games, making it one of the league's hottest teams.
Photos: No. 21 Mizzou men's basketball opens SEC Tournament with victory

Missouri center Josh Gray (33) celebrates victory over Mississippi State after the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans, left, speaks with Missouri head coach Dennis Gates afterthe second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

The Mississippi State bench is seen in the closing seconds during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Tony Perkins (12) shoots against Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State guard Riley Kugel (2) passes against Missouri guard Tamar Bates (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) reacts to play against Missouri during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) drives against Missouri guard Caleb Grill (31) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy (3) blocks the shot of Missouri guard Tony Perkins (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Tony Perkins (12) shoots against Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State forward RJ Melendez (22) shoots against Missouri center Josh Gray (33) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State forward RJ Melendez (22) shoots against Missouri guard Aidan Shaw (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews (4) and Missouri guard Trent Pierce (11) vie for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) shoots against Missouri during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Anthony Robinson II (0) shoots against Mississippi State guard Claudell Harris Jr. (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) shoots against Missouri guard Jacob Crews (35) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) is defended by Missouri guard Anthony Robinson II (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Aidan Shaw (23) dunks against Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Aidan Shaw (23) dunks against Mississippi State guard Dellquan Warren (6) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Caleb Grill (31) dunks against Mississippi State guard Shawn Jones Jr. (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri center Josh Gray (33) dunks against Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri center Josh Gray (33) dunks against Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy (3) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans speaks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Tamar Bates (2) dunks against Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Tony Perkins (12) drives against Mississippi State guard Shawn Jones Jr. (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Tony Perkins (12) moves the ball against Mississippi State guard Shawn Jones Jr. (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri team members celebrates a basket against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Tamar Bates (2) dunks the ball against Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Tamar Bates (2) shoots against Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State guard Shawn Jones Jr. (5) and Missouri center Josh Gray (33) work for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri center Josh Gray (33) drives against Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State cheerleaders perform during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans speaks to players during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy (3) shoots against Missouri guard Trent Pierce (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Marques Warrick (1) and Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (12) vie for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State's Michael Nwoko, right, and Cameron Matthews (4) defend against Missouri guard Tony Perkins (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri center Josh Gray (33) blocks a shot by Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri head coach Dennis Gates speaks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans speaks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Missouri guard Marques Warrick, right, drives against Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard during the first half in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State cheerleaders perform during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mississippi State cheerleaders perform during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Missouri and Mississippi State in the second round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn.