Field Level Media
Mar 7, 2020
Dru Smith scored 17 points to reach double figures for the seventh time in nine games as Missouri outlasted Alabama 69-50 in a sloppy Southeastern Conference game at Columbia, Mo., Saturday afternoon.
A junior transfer from Evansville, Smith was one of only three players in double-figure scoring for the Tigers (15-16, 7-11 SEC), who took control over the final nine minutes to end a two-game losing streak. Mark Smith added 13 points and Mitchell Smith 10 for the Tigers.
Kira Lewis Jr. led all scorers with 18 points, Jaden Shackelford added 13 and Galin Smith 10 for the Crimson Tide (16-15, 8-10 SEC).
The game was tied nine times during the first 31 minutes before the Tigers went on a 19-7 spurt to open a 56-44 lead approaching the four-minute mark.
The Tigers hit 13 of their last 21 shots. The Tide finished the game only 3 of 13 from the field.
Guard John Petty, Alabama's third-leading scorer, started after missing the last two games with an elbow injury but scored only one point in 34 minutes.
Poor shooting and careless ball-handling by both teams marked first-half play that ended with Mizzou up 21-20.
The Tide shot only 26.9 percent overall in the first half and hit only 2 of 16 3-pointers while making 12 turnovers and failing to reach the 30-point mark in the first half for the first time this season. For the game, the Tide shot 30.4 percent, made 18 turnovers, and scored a season low.
The Tigers shot 31.8 percent in the first half but also made 12 turnovers. Dru Smith's four free throws -- their only points over the final 3:15 -- got Missouri past its season low of 18 points. They finished the game shooting 41.5 percent and 16 turnovers.
--Field Level Media