After two losses in SEC play with close games on the line, Mizzou held off 21st ranked Tennessee in a 59-55 final. It wasn’t without drama as the Tigers let the Vols get close after opening a 10-point lead. The win marked the Tigers’ first victory against a ranked opponent since the 2013-14 season, a win over No. 18 UCLA (Dec. 7, 2013).
Mizzou went the final 6:43 of the game without a field goal but shot 15-of-17 from the free throw line to help hold on for the win.
Kevin Puryear was a perfect 6-for-6 and finished with 12 points and ten rebounds. Jontay Porter added 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Tigers came up big defensively limiting Vols guards Jordan Bone and Jordan Bowden — to just three points on 1-for-13 shooting.
On a night when Mizzou’s outside shooting failed them, they proved they could win without the three on solid defense and getting to the line.
The Tigers were just 4-of-18 from three but held Tennessee to 5-of-21 from three.
