COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many expected the fate of Missouri's battle with Southeast Missouri State to be decided by halftime. Instead, it trickled into the final seconds.
The score was knotted at 76-76 with 3:40 remaining in the game. Missouri men's basketball was on the verge of allowing one of the biggest upsets in recent program history, as the mid-major Redhawks had pushed them to the limit.
A Mark Mitchell and-one, two Anthony Robinson II free throws, another Mitchell layup and one defensive stop had pushed the game into intentional foul territory, where it would remain for the final 50 seconds with Missouri leading for all of it.
Missouri eventually came out on top 89-84 as the final buzzer sounded, exhaling a breath of relief with the victory, and moving to 2-0 on the season.
Mitchell led the Tigers in scoring with 29 points on 12-for-14 shooting, the second-highest mark of his Missouri career, and highest point total in a non-conference game with Missouri. Mitchell's performance was reminiscent of the Mitchell seen in the last few weeks of Southeastern Conference play last season, being largely unstoppable when driving to the basket.
Robinson had a mixed game, scoring 15 points while adding on three steals, but turned the ball over three times. While he committed three fouls, it was within 36:06 minutes of playing time, his collegiate career high. His main struggle last season was staying on the court to avoid foul trouble, which he successfully avoided Friday night.
Jayden Stone was third-leading scorer with 14 points while knocking down three 3-pointers, proving effective in his role as a sixth man. Sebastian Mack also tacked on 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting. Luke Northweather contributed five points, two rebounds and a momentum-swinging late-game block, he helped close the game out.
Missouri struggled from the free throw line, making 18 of its 19 attempts. The Tigers also couldn't keep hold of the ball, turning it over 19 times, 10 of which came from Mitchell and Shawn Phillips Jr.
Braxton Stacker led the way for SEMO with a team-high 26 points, and Luke Almodovar was second-highest with 24 points. Only one other Redhawk scored double-digit points, being Marqueas Bell with 13.
Missouri walked away with a win, but had to earn every bit of it. The Tigers will need the experience of every battle presented to them should they want to succeed in the grueling SEC once more.
Missouri will be back remain at home for its next six games, beginning with Virginia Military Institute Sunday, Nov. 9 at 3:30 p.m.