COLUMBIA, Mo. — Tamar Bates delivered an outstanding performance with 29 points and five steals, leading Missouri to a 76-67 victory over the top-ranked Kansas team on Sunday.
Mark Mitchell contributed 17 points in this pivotal win, marking Missouri’s first triumph over Kansas since a 74-71 victory on February 4, 2012. Additionally, Anthony Robinson II added 11 points and five steals for the Tigers, while Josh Gray was prominent on the boards, securing a team-high 10 rebounds.
For Kansas, Hunter Dickinson recorded 19 points and 14 rebounds, but his performance was marred by seven turnovers. This defeat marked the second consecutive loss for the Jayhawks (7-2) on the road, following their 76-63 defeat to Creighton earlier in the week.
Missouri established a commanding lead, going up 57-33 when Tony Perkins hit a jump shot with 14:15 remaining in the game. However, Kansas managed to mount a comeback, outscoring the Tigers 30-8 over an impressive stretch of nearly 12 minutes.
Bates was instrumental in building a 39-25 lead for Missouri at halftime, scoring 18 points before the team initiated the second half with a strong 16-6 run.
Key Observations:
Kansas struggled against Missouri’s height and defensive intensity, which has historically posed challenges, as the Jayhawks now stand at 5-5 in Mizzou Arena since its opening in 2004.
Missouri has improved their record to 4-5 against Kansas when the Jayhawks are ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press poll.
Defining Moments:
With just over two minutes to go, Mitchell nailed a three-pointer, pushing Missouri ahead 68-63. Following that, Gray sank two free throws, and Bates added a layup, extending the lead to 72-63 with only 1:16 left on the clock.
Notable Statistic:
Kansas was plagued by 22 turnovers throughout the game, with 14 of those occurring in the first half, significantly hindering their chances of success.
Looking Ahead:
Kansas will return to action at home against North Carolina State on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Missouri will be hosting Long Island on the same day.
