Tamar Bates delivered an impressive performance with 29 points and five steals, leading Missouri to a significant 76-67 victory over the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks on Sunday at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri. This marks Missouri’s first win over Kansas since February 4, 2012, when they triumphed 74-71.
In support of Bates, Mark Mitchell contributed 17 points, while Anthony Robinson II added 11 points and five steals. Josh Gray was a key presence on the boards, collecting 10 rebounds for the Tigers, who now boast an 8-1 record. Hunter Dickinson was a standout for Kansas, finishing with 19 points and 14 rebounds. The loss sends the Jayhawks’ record to 7-2, as they face their second consecutive road loss after a defeat to Creighton.
Kansas head coach Bill Self acknowledged the challenges faced by his team, stating, “It’s amazing that we were still in the game as poorly as we played…I think we have good enough players to win at a high level, but we need to function better as a unit.”
Missouri started strong, building a 57-33 lead with just over 14 minutes left on a jump shot from Tony Perkins. However, Kansas rallied and narrowed the gap, outscoring Missouri 30-8 during a tense stretch. Despite Kansas’ efforts, Bates’ performance, particularly in the first half where he scored 18 points, set the stage for Missouri’s lead.
A defining moment came in the closing minutes when Mitchell’s three-pointer pushed Missouri ahead 68-63, followed by critical free throws by Gray and a layup from Bates to cement the victory.
Kansas struggled with ball control, committing 22 turnovers in total, with 14 occurring in the first half, significantly affecting their performance.
Looking ahead, Kansas will host North Carolina State this Saturday, while Missouri is set to welcome Long Island on the same day.
This victory for Missouri not only ends a long-standing drought against a top-ranked opponent but also boosts their confidence as they continue the season. Fans and players alike can find optimism in their performance against a formidable team like Kansas, setting a hopeful tone for the upcoming games.