The University of Missouri men's basketball team lost to No. 20 Arkansas 88-84 in overtime on Senior Day in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers finished the game with a record of 20-11 overall and 10-8 in SEC play, while the Razorbacks improved to 23-8 overall and 13-5 in the conference. Senior Mark Mitchell led Missouri with a career-high 32 points.
On Saturday afternoon in Columbia, Missouri, the Mizzou Tigers hosted No. 20 Arkansas on Senior Day but fell short in a close contest that went into overtime, ending 88-84 in favor of the Razorbacks.
The game began with Arkansas seizing control early, using a 17-2 run to build a 28-13 lead, capitalizing on eight turnovers by the Tigers. Missouri responded with a 12-2 run to narrow the gap to five points at 37-32 with 1:30 left in the half, featuring three-pointers from Jayden Stone and Trent Pierce. A layup by Mark Mitchell just before the buzzer trimmed Arkansas's lead to three, resulting in a halftime score of 39-36 after Missouri's 16-4 closing run.
In the second half, the Tigers opened with a 9-0 surge to take their first lead at 45-44, highlighted by a slam dunk from Shawn Phillips Jr. on a lob from Mitchell. The lead fluctuated, with neither team ahead by more than two points in the final eight minutes of regulation. With 52 seconds remaining, Mitchell's converted-and-one gave Missouri a 74-73 edge, but a late free throw by Arkansas forced overtime.
Overtime saw Trent Pierce hit a three-pointer to put the Tigers up 77-76. Arkansas then went on a 5-0 run for an 81-77 advantage, only for Missouri to answer with five straight points to regain a one-point lead. However, a late three-pointer and free throws secured the four-point victory for the Razorbacks.
Missouri shot 47.6% from the field, making 6 of 20 three-pointers (30%) and 18 of 24 free throws. Arkansas shot 49.3% on 33 of 67 attempts, including 8 of 16 from beyond the arc.
Key performers for the Tigers included Mark Mitchell with 32 points, four rebounds, and four assists; Shawn Phillips Jr. with 13 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season; Trent Pierce with 13 points and six rebounds; Jayden Stone with 11 points; and T.O. Barrett with 10 points.
The Tigers now head to the SEC Tournament in Nashville, where they will open play on Wednesday or Thursday.
