Mizzou coach Dennis Gates urgently appealed to fans, saying, “Please, do not rush the court!” after his team triumphed over No. 4 Alabama with a score of 110-98 on Wednesday night. The game was marked by impressive performances from Mark Mitchell, who set a career-high with 31 points, and Caleb Grill, who not only scored 25 points but also matched his career-best with 10 rebounds.
This plea from Gates contrasted sharply with his actions during the previous game against Kansas, where he had called a late timeout to ensure the safety of the Jayhawks’ bench. Gates expressed dissatisfaction with Missouri’s announcement discouraging fans from storming the court, showcasing his commitment to player safety and sportsmanship.
Following the Kansas game, Missouri faced a hefty $250,000 fine, with a potential $500,000 penalty looming for another offense. In the Southeastern Conference, these fines are directed to the opposing school. A recent example includes Vanderbilt, which was fined $500,000 after its fans stormed the court for the second time this season, with the funds going to Kentucky.
In the victory against Alabama, Anthony Robinson II contributed 14 points, while Tamar Bates added 13, helping Missouri improve to 20-6 overall and 9-4 in the Southeastern Conference. This win marked their third consecutive victory and showcased their resilience against ranked teams, now boasting a 5-3 record in such matchups.
Alabama’s Mark Sears had a standout performance, scoring a season-high 35 points. Despite the loss, he remained a key player for the Crimson Tide, who faced their second consecutive defeat after a previous loss to top-ranked Auburn. Mouhamed Dioubate also made his mark with 13 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out.
Missouri’s explosive start was evident as they jumped to a 12-0 lead, prompting Alabama coach Nate Oats to call a timeout just over two minutes into the game. The Tigers outscored the Crimson Tide 59-46 in the first half, demonstrating their offensive prowess.
Tensions flared during the game when Oats received a technical foul for slamming his clipboard in frustration after a flagrant foul was called against Sears for grabbing Grill from behind as he drove to the basket.
Takeaways
Missouri: The Tigers effectively matched Alabama’s dynamic offense, shooting an impressive 60% from the field, even while allowing the Crimson Tide to shoot 54%.
Key moment
A pivotal moment occurred when Sears hit a 3-pointer, narrowing Alabama’s gap to six points at 79-73 with 9:51 left. Missouri swiftly countered with a 9-0 run in just under two minutes, effectively sealing the game.
Key stat
Missouri’s 100-point performance against a conference opponent was noteworthy, marking the first time since a 107-62 victory over Colorado on January 14, 2009, in the Big 12.
Up next
Both teams are set to compete again on Saturday. Alabama will host No. 2 Florida, while Missouri travels to face Arkansas.
