Mizzou hoops outlasts No. 22 Tennessee for statement win

By: Collin Anderson

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -- The Tigers picked up a second straight ranked win at home, knocking off the Volunteers 73-69.

Tennessee came out hot, scoring on nearly every one of their first possessions to jump out to a 12-2 lead. They held that lead through most of the first half, but the Tigers managed to get the deficit down to just one at halftime thanks to 12 first half points from T.O. Barrett, and 8 from Mark Mitchell.

"Just not panicking," Mitchell said. "You get down 12-2 against a good team, you can panic and do things like that, but I think just the experience, the situations we've been in and things like that. We knew what we were capable of and we just kept fighting and we knew we'd claw back in."

The second half was even more productive for Mizzou. They put up 47 points, lead by 16 more from Barrett, and 15 more from Mitchell. The Tiger defense held strong to match that offensive production. MU got its biggest lead of the game with just over 10 minutes remaining when Trent Pierce drilled a three to make it 48-45.

That lead continued to grow throughout the final stages, and although Tennessee put the pressure on in the final stages, Jacob Crews drilled four straight foul shots to seal the deal, 73-69.

Barrett would finish the day with a career high 28 points while shooting 12-17 from the floor. Mitchell was right behind him with 23 with 7 rebounds. This makes the fifth quad 1 win for the Tigers this season, and will help push them closer to the NCAA tournament.

"I didn't feel like they could guard me, so I just kept going at them," Barrett said. "I just felt like being physical down in the paint [was working well for me]. They really weren't doubling or anything, so I feel like if I was down there and played off two feet, I could get my shots."

Up Next - Mizzou will travel to take on Mississippi State on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tip off against the Bulldogs is scheduled for noon.