No. 15 Missouri men’s basketball defeated No. 4 Alabama 110–98 for its third top-5 win of the season, clicking on all cylinders from the tipoff to the final buzzer. Led by guard Caleb Grill and guard/forward Mark Mitchell’s 54 points, it was the Tigers’ fifth-ranked victory of the year.
There arguably wasn’t a point in the contest where Mizzou wasn’t in control — they never let their foot off the gas pedal. The Tigers rushed out to a 12-0 lead and didn’t look back, getting it done on both sides of the floor. They shot over 60 percent from the field and collected eight steals.
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The Crimson Tide didn’t have an answer for Mitchell, who dropped 18 points in the half, in Mizzou’s second-highest scoring half of the season.
The behind-the-back pass and the finish!@caleb_grill0 ⏩ @Mark_mitchell25 #MIZ 🐯 pic.twitter.com/WGFHjKZu6S
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) February 20, 2025
Coincidentally, Alabama shot over 60 percent from the field as well. However, they had 10 turnovers by the break, leading to eight less shots than the Tigers. Missouri led 59-46 at halftime.
The Tigers’ lead teetered between nine and 15 points for the first 10 minutes of the second half, and maintained the advantage for the majority of the second patch of 20 minutes. The Crimson Tide made it interesting late by cutting it down to a six-point game with 50 seconds left, helped by Mizzou’s three-minute field goal drought.
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The comeback was put to rest after that, though, as Mizzou tacked on four points in six seconds from guard Tamar Bates’ fast break layup and steal that led to free throws. Grill and Mitchell, who finished with a career-high in points, combined for 28 in the second half.
We have Caleb Grill and they don’t 😤#MIZ 🐯 pic.twitter.com/XOg14Y1vRW
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) February 20, 2025
Improving to 17-1 at home on the year, the Tigers’ three top-5 wins is the first time the program has accomplished this feat since the 1988-89 season. Alabama’s 12-point loss marks the team’s second-straight defeat after losing to Auburn on Saturday.
