COLUMBIA, Mo. — On Saturday night, Missouri extended its winning streak to four games by defeating Arkansas with a score of 83-65, marking the Razorbacks’ fifth consecutive loss. Mark Mitchell and Caleb Grill contributed 17 points each to the Tigers’ victory, while Tamar Bates added 15 points to the scoreline.

In addition to his scoring, Mitchell recorded five rebounds and four assists for the Tigers, who now hold a record of 15 wins and 3 losses, including 4-1 in the Southeastern Conference. The team has been strong at home, registering 14 straight victories. Bates showcased his talent by hitting six of twelve shots, including three from beyond the arc. Grill excelled off the bench, making 7 of 10 attempts with three 3-pointers, following a thrilling 83-82 win against No. 5 Florida.

In this matchup, both Grill and Bates surpassed the milestone of 1,000 career points. Tony Perkins contributed 11 points, and Trent Pierce had a perfect performance, scoring 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting, which included two successful attempts from three-point range.

For the Razorbacks, sophomore Zvonimir Ivisic achieved his first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Adou Thiero also made an impact with 12 points.

The game started with Bates making three 3-pointers and a layup within the first five and a half minutes, allowing Missouri to respond after conceding the opening basket. The Tigers then went on an impressive 18-0 run, driven by 13 points from Bates and 11 from Mitchell, taking a commanding 52-35 lead by halftime.

Arkansas attempted to claw back into the game, and Thiero’s contributions helped the team embark on an 8-0 run, narrowing the gap to 57-45 with 15:29 remaining in the contest. However, Mitchell’s layup and Grill’s consecutive baskets helped to extend Missouri’s lead back to 18 points.

Despite efforts from D.J. Wagner, who scored in the paint bring the score to 63-53 with 9:44 left, Arkansas was unable to capitalize further, and the margin remained steady.

This loss has been particularly tough for John Calipari in his debut season with the Razorbacks, as he has never experienced a string of four consecutive losses in conference play during his coaching career at Massachusetts, Memphis, and Kentucky.

Next, Missouri is set to face Texas on Tuesday, while Arkansas will host No. 23 Georgia on Wednesday.