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Missouri Tigers Roar Past Florida Gators with Late Surge in Mizzou Arena Showdown

The Missouri Tigers secured a hard-fought victory over the Florida Gators with a 76-74 win at Mizzou Arena. This result brings the Tigers to a 1-0 record, while the Gators start their season at 0-1. The game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams tied at 39 points by halftime.


Jan 3, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) dunks the ball during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

First Half


The first half saw both teams exchanging leads and showcasing their offensive capabilities. The Tigers were led by Mark Mitchell, who contributed significantly on both ends of the court. His defensive prowess was evident as he recorded two blocks and added crucial points to keep Mizzou competitive against the Swamp's aggressive playstyle.


Second Half


In the second half, Missouri's bench played a pivotal role in maintaining momentum. Jacob Crews came off the bench to score an impressive 13 points, shooting efficiently from inside the arc. Meanwhile, Anthony Robinson II displayed his all-around skills by adding 19 points along with five assists and eight rebounds.


Jan 3, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers center Shawn Phillips Jr. (15) drives against Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) during the second half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Final Moments


As time wound down in this nail-biter matchup, it was Jevon Porter who made critical plays that helped seal Missouri's victory. The Gators had managed to close within striking distance thanks to their fast break opportunities and strong paint presence but fell short as Porter's defensive efforts stifled their final push.


The game concluded with "Missouri Tigers vs Florida Gators final score" of 76-74 after several lead changes throughout its duration—highlighting how evenly matched these teams were during this early-season clash.


Jan 3, 2026; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Florida Gators guard Boogie Fland (0) drives against Missouri Tigers guard Jacob Crews (35) and guard Jayden Stone (17) during the second half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Following this intense encounter against Florida, fans can look forward to seeing Mizzou face off against Kentucky Wildcats on January 7th at Rupp Arena in Lexington; tune into ESPN2 for live coverage starting at 7:00 PM EST!


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