Missouri closed the game on a 15-2 run to earn a historic 73-68 victory over Kentucky on Wednesday night at Rupp Arena, snapping an 0-for-9 skid in Lexington and improving to 2-0 in SEC play for the first time in program history.
The Tigers improved to 12-3 overall, while Kentucky fell to 9-6 and 0-2 in conference play.
Senior Mark Mitchell scored 21 points, including the go-ahead basket with 36.2 seconds remaining, and graduate student Jayden Stone added 20 points for Missouri. Stone also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
Anthony Robinson II finished with nine points and a career-best 10 assists, while Trent Pierce contributed five points, five rebounds, a career-high four steals and three assists.
Missouri built momentum midway through the first half with a 10-2 run that turned a one-point deficit into a 19-12 lead. Kentucky answered repeatedly, closing the half on a late spurt to pull within one, 33-32, at the break.
The Wildcats opened the second half with an 11-0 run to take a 38-33 lead, and later built their largest advantage at 66-58 with 4:37 remaining. Missouri responded with timely defense and clutch shooting, cutting the deficit on baskets from Pierce and Stone before Stone drilled a 3-pointer to make it a one-point game.
After Kentucky briefly went back ahead, Missouri took control down the stretch. Shawn Phillips delivered an alley-oop dunk with 1:14 remaining, and Mitchell followed with a turnaround jumper to put the Tigers in front for good. Missouri forced two missed shots and a turnover in the final seconds while sealing the win at the free-throw line.
Missouri shot 51.9 percent from the field and outscored Kentucky 40-28 in the paint. Kentucky shot 43.1 percent overall.
The Tigers continue their road swing Saturday at Ole Miss, with tipoff set for 5 p.m. on SEC Network.
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