Keanau Post struggles for control of a rebound.  (Photo/Mizzou Athletics-Dale Zanine USA Today)

Keanau Post struggles for control of a rebound. (Photo/Mizzou Athletics-Dale Zanine USA Today)

The Missouri Tigers hopes for an NCAA Tournament bid took another hit Tuesday night after their 71-56 loss at Georgia. Frank Haith wanted a better effort from the players and he got the hustle…they just couldn’t make any shots and at times played out of control.

Mizzou went just 3-of-18 from three-point range, missing several open looks, and hit just 17-of-53 total shots for the game. They were also sloppy with the basketball, turning it over 13 times, including nine in the first half. The Tigers trailed 31-22 at the break, scoring just one basket in the final 8:01 of the half.

Jabari Brown and Jordan Clarkson led the Tigers with 17 points each, but they shot a combined 9 of 29.

Georgia meanwhile shot 52% with several points coming inside the paint. Before forward Nemanja Djurisic hit back-to-back treys in the final minute to push the Bulldog lead to nine at the break, Georgia scored 20 of their first 25 points inside. The Bulldogs tried to help the Tigers, missing all six of their free throw attempts in the first half. In the second, it was a different story as Georgia went 16 of 20 from the line.

Mizzou scored the first three points of the second half and cut the Bulldog lead down to six, but a 13-4 run helped Georgia regain control. The Bulldogs are 10-5 in league play with a firm hold on third place, while Mizzou drops to 7-8

Missouri returns to action at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon against Mississippi State.