Missouri turned in its strongest defensive performance of the season Saturday, pulling away for a 78-59 road win over South Carolina.
The Tigers improved to 16-7 overall and 6-4 in SEC play by holding the Gamecocks to just 30.9 percent shooting from the field and 3-of-22 from three-point range. South Carolina fell to 11-13 and 2-9 in conference action.
Jayden Stone led Missouri with 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting, knocking down three triples and adding two steals. Mark Mitchell recorded his third double-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, while T.O. Barrett added 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Missouri raced out to a 10-2 lead behind its defense and built a 21-8 advantage midway through the first half as South Carolina struggled to find the basket. The Gamecocks responded with a 13-3 run to pull within three, but the Tigers took a four-point lead into halftime.
The Tigers seized control early in the second half with a 15-3 run to stretch the margin to 49-35. South Carolina trimmed the deficit to seven, but Missouri answered with a decisive 19-5 surge, highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from Stone, to put the game away.
Missouri shot 46.3 percent from the field, went 21-of-30 at the free-throw line and finished with 44 rebounds and 16 assists. The 59 points allowed tied a season low for the Tigers.
Missouri returns to action Wednesday night at Texas A&M, with tipoff set for 8 on SEC Network.
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