Kansas Rallies to Beat Missouri 73-64 in Border War Showdown
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Tamar Bates delivered a sensational performance with 29 points and five steals, leading Missouri to a 76-67 victory over top-ranked Kansas on Sunday. The win marked the Tigers' first over the Jayhawks since 2012 and handed Kansas its second consecutive road loss.
Missouri (8-1) dominated the game from start to finish, holding off a late Kansas rally to secure the monumental win. Mark Mitchell added 17 points, while Anthony Robinson II contributed 11 points and five steals. Josh Gray was a force on the boards, leading the team with 10 rebounds.
Kansas (7-2), despite a strong showing from star center Hunter Dickinson, who finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds, struggled with turnovers and failed to overcome Missouri's defensive pressure. Dickinson, who was a key focus for the Tigers, committed seven turnovers in the game. The Jayhawks have now lost two straight games on the road, following a 76-63 defeat to Creighton earlier in the week.
Fast Start, Strong Finish for Missouri
The Tigers came out firing in the first half, jumping to a 39-25 lead behind a stellar 18-point performance from Bates. Missouri’s defense swarmed Kansas, forcing the Jayhawks into 14 turnovers by halftime, which stifled their offense and allowed the Tigers to control the tempo.
Missouri’s advantage grew to 57-33 with 14:15 remaining in the game following a jumper from Tony Perkins. But Kansas responded with a furious 30-8 run over the next 11:55, cutting the lead to just 65-63 with 2:03 to go. The Jayhawks appeared poised to steal the game, but Mitchell’s clutch 3-pointer with just over two minutes left pushed Missouri ahead 68-63, and the Tigers held on from there.
Key Plays and Big Moments
With Kansas on the verge of completing the comeback, Gray calmly hit a pair of free throws to extend Missouri's lead, and Bates sealed the victory with a fast-break layup to make it 72-63 with 1:16 remaining. Despite a final three-pointer attempt by Kansas, Missouri's defense held firm, and the Tigers celebrated a signature victory.
The win also marked an important milestone for Missouri, as they improved to 4-5 when Kansas is ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll. The Tigers' victory was their first over Kansas since a 74-71 win on February 4, 2012, breaking an 11-year drought in the rivalry.
Kansas' Struggles Continue on the Road
While Dickinson played well, the Jayhawks’ inability to take care of the basketball was a key factor in their downfall. Kansas committed a total of 22 turnovers, including a staggering 14 in the first half, which prevented them from ever getting into a rhythm offensively.
"We dug ourselves into a hole with those turnovers, and Missouri took advantage," said Kansas head coach Bill Self. "Credit to them, they played a great game and hit big shots when they needed to."
Takeaways
Kansas: The Jayhawks struggled against Missouri's defensive pressure and physicality, committing 22 turnovers in a frustrating performance. Despite Dickinson’s strong individual effort, the team’s overall lack of execution hurt their chances.
Missouri: The Tigers showed grit and poise, with Bates leading the charge. Missouri's defense was key, forcing turnovers and limiting Kansas' second-chance opportunities. The win over the No. 1 team in the country is a huge statement for the Tigers as they look to build on this momentum.
Key Stats:
Kansas: 22 turnovers (14 in the first half)
Missouri: 10 team rebounds for Josh Gray, Bates with 5 steals
Points: Bates – 29, Mitchell – 17, Robinson II – 11
Up Next:
Kansas: The Jayhawks will look to rebound when they host North Carolina State next Saturday.
Missouri: The Tigers will aim to keep the momentum going as they host Long Island on Saturday.
With this landmark win, Missouri sent a loud message to the college basketball world: they’re a team to watch this season.
Cameron Williams
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Senior Writer
