Missouri Upsets No. 1 Kansas 76-67

Tamar Bates delivered an outstanding performance with 29 points and five steals to help the Missouri Tigers defeat No. 1 Kansas 76-67 on Sunday. The win was Missouri’s first over Kansas since 2012, snapping a long losing streak against the Jayhawks and handing them their second consecutive loss.

Mark Mitchell contributed 17 points for the Tigers, while Anthony Robinson II added 11 points and five steals. Josh Gray was dominant on the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds. Missouri’s victory was a testament to their strong defense and offensive execution, particularly in the second half.

Missouri’s Dominant Start

The Tigers started strong, taking control early in the game. Missouri opened up a 39-25 lead at halftime, with Bates scoring 18 of those points. They continued their strong play in the second half, extending the lead to 57-33 with 14:15 left after a jump shot from Tony Perkins. However, Kansas mounted a comeback, outscoring Missouri 30-8 over the next 12 minutes, narrowing the gap significantly.

Kansas Struggles and Key Plays of Missouri

Kansas, led by Hunter Dickinson, who finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds, struggled with turnovers throughout the game. The Jayhawks committed a total of 22 turnovers, including 14 in the first half alone. Despite Dickinson’s strong performance, Kansas couldn’t overcome the defensive pressure from Missouri, which effectively neutralized their offense and limited second-chance opportunities.

The pivotal moment of the game came with just over two minutes remaining. Mark Mitchell hit a crucial 3-pointer, giving Missouri a 68-63 lead. From there, Gray sank two free throws, and Bates converted a layup, pushing the lead to 72-63 with just over a minute left. This strong finish sealed the victory for the Tigers and sent their fans rushing onto the court in celebration.

The victory was a historic one for Missouri, improving their record to 4-5 against Kansas when the Jayhawks are ranked No. 1 in the AP poll. Tigers coach Dennis Gates encouraged the court rush, saying, “They deserve that moment.” This win also marked Missouri’s first victory over Kansas since a 74-71 win on February 4, 2012.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Kansas will return home to face NC State on Saturday, while Missouri will host Long Island the same day. Missouri will look to build on their momentum after this impressive victory, while Kansas will work to bounce back from their recent struggles. In conclusion, Missouri’s defensive pressure and timely scoring led by Bates and Mitchell handed Kansas a tough 76-67 loss. With a dominant second-half performance and a critical late-game run, the Tigers proved they can compete with the nation’s best.