Brellen Bridges of Georgia, left, has his shot blocked by Kobe Brown of Missouri, during a game at Mizo Arena on Saturday.
The Tigers finally put one together.
After losing six consecutive games, Missouri men’s basketball closed its regular season with a win against the worst team in the Southeast Conference.
Four Missouri players, led by Kobe Brown and his 21-point lead, scored in double digits as the host Tigers beat Georgia 79-69 at the Mizo Arena on Saturday afternoon to send their lone senior, who is still to return the following season. balancing the decision.
The first half showed some issues of consistency that led to Missouri’s downfall, but the Tigers rallied against a team that needed to be defeated.
At least 14 points down, Missouri was struggling with turnover and shot selection. The defense also fought on Saturday. When the Tigers scored 49 points in the second half, when it mattered most, it came down to turning their game around for their most consistent player.
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Missouri is now gaining momentum in the SEC tournament this coming week in a first-round game against Mississippi on Wednesday.
Here are our takeaways from Missouri’s 10-point win over the Bulldogs:
Piquet supercharges Mizo in the second half
Missouri suffered a double-digit deficit—granted, not an unusual sight.
Jevon Piquet’s first half was unusual without a score.
The Tigers senior was kicked off the board as Georgia was scoring all the way.
Brown was the main offensive catalyst, but Piquet held the key to a crucial stretch where the Tigers eventually tied the Bulldogs and eventually took a lead.
Pickett has been the player the Missouri can rely on to produce the dribble, as well as shooting well outside to force opposing defenses to respect that ability.
Piquet finished with 12 points and seven rebounds after starting 0-for-7 from the floor.
behind the return of tigers
The Tigers were behind Georgia for 27:30 game time – the majority of the first half and a portion of the second half.
story continues
Then Missouri mounted an inspired race to take control of the game.
Missouri defended well and shot the ball well. With 3:59 remaining in the game, the Tigers were shooting 64% from the floor in the second half.
That high shooting percentage led to a 13-2 run that gave Missouri a six-point lead in an under-eight timeout.
Pickett’s first point tied the game at 51. Boogie Coleman used a 3-pointer to give Missouri the lead. Pickett extended that advantage with a layoff.
Georgia got a free throw at the time, but Amari Davis’ tough finish in the basket on two post defenders gave the Tigers a 58-52 lead.
Tigers first half clash
It took 11:54 of the first half for Georgia to miss their first field goal of the game. Bulldog attacked the rim, drove off and got into good shots.
Missouri kicked out Georgia several times. Brown fouled Kario Oquendo on the 3-point line on a wild and long step-back shot that hit the backboard harmlessly. This resulted in two free throws for Georgia.
The game got off to an auspicious start for the Missouri starting guards. Louis native and Georgia starting point guard Aaron Cook tortured Coleman and Dajuan Gordon in three opening turnovers, sending both to the bench.
Georgia’s Aaron Cook, right, steals the ball from Jaron Coleman, during a game at Mizzou Arena on Saturday.
Those turnovers added six quick points for the Bulldogs and an 18-6 lead in an under-16 timeout in the first half for Georgia.
Missouri’s offense had its issues, shooting 36% from the floor in the first half, but any momentum was met with a basket from Georgia.
It turned into second as Georgia cooled down and the free throw began to disappear after Missouri chipped in. The Bulldog shot 21 of 33 in free throws for the day. The Tigers finished 13 of 15 from the free-throw line.
Pickett’s goodbye?
Piquet, perhaps the most consistent player for Missouri in the second half of the season, was honored on Saturday for his senior day.
However, Pickett is still undecided about whether he will return for an additional year of his COVID-provided eligibility.
Piquet said he wasn’t sure what factors would play into that decision, and Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin said he hadn’t had any conversations with Pickett about his extra year until the end of February.
Piquet has scored in double digits in 15 of his last 16 matches, including last week’s career high of 23 points against South Carolina.
His verdict will come, but Saturday proved why Piquet is so valuable to the event as he influenced the game in every way.
“I’m trying to make the year strong,” Pickett said on February 25. “Whatever happens, happens.”
well on your future
After the game, Martin was asked about his future with the program as he finished the 2021–2022 season with an 11–20 record and a 5–13 record in SEC play.
Specifically, he was asked: “Do you expect to be back next season?”
Missouri is believed to have played in the second half of the season with eight players and came out of the entire season with a roster overall. However, Martin isn’t thinking about it.
“I hope to wake up tomorrow, go to church, count my blessings,” Martin said. “But I’m not worried about it.”
Chris Kwisinski is the sports editor of the Columbia Daily Tribune, overseeing University of Missouri and Boone County sports coverage. Follow him on Twitter @OchoK_ and contact him at [email protected] or 435-414-3261.
This article was originally published in Columbia Daily Tribune: Takeaways from Mizzou’s win over Georgia in regular-season finals
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