Missouri Basketball, following back-to-back defeats, welcomed the Kentucky Wildcats for their final game of the 2024-25 regular season.
The game started slowly, with both teams struggling offensively, managing only 21 combined points in the first 10 minutes. However, Kentucky soon found its rhythm from beyond the arc, establishing a solid lead as the first half progressed. In the final 10 minutes before halftime, the Wildcats tallied 28 points, while Missouri continued to struggle offensively.
The Tigers relied heavily on Mark Mitchell, who has been their offensive anchor in recent weeks. Mitchell once again led Missouri, scoring a team-high 22 points. Whenever Missouri’s offense faltered, Mitchell provided the spark to keep them in the game. However, his efforts were not enough to counter Kentucky’s dominant offensive performance.
Kentucky consistently found open looks against Missouri’s defense, capitalizing on nearly every opportunity. A standout performer for the Wildcats was Kobe Brea, who led his team with 11 first-half points. He was especially lethal from three-point range, hitting all three of his attempts. At halftime, Kentucky held a nine-point advantage.
The second half saw Kentucky maintain its offensive momentum, quickly extending its lead to 16 points. Missouri, meanwhile, struggled to find defensive stops. Although the Tigers managed to cut the deficit to just five points late in the game, their defensive woes ultimately cost them. The Wildcats continued to score efficiently and secured a 91-83 victory.
Missouri’s defensive struggles have been a recurring issue. In their previous game against Oklahoma, the Tigers had difficulty containing their opponent’s offense, and the same problem plagued them against Kentucky.
With this loss, Missouri finishes the SEC regular season with a 10-8 conference record. However, their recent form has been concerning, as they have now lost four of their last five games heading into the SEC Tournament.
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