Mizzou Dominates South Carolina in 101-71 Blowout Victory

After a statement win over No. 4 Alabama, the Missouri Tigers closed out the week with an upsetting loss at Arkansas, leaving them with a 1-1 record for the stretch. While not disastrous, the loss left a bitter taste for Mizzou, which responded in emphatic fashion with a dominant win over South Carolina.

Mizzou Moves Up, But Not Satisfied

Despite the split week, the Tigers climbed just one spot in the AP Top-25, reaching No. 14 overall. However, this team isn’t content with rankings alone—they showed their hunger with a 40-minute masterclass against a struggling Gamecocks squad.

South Carolina entered the matchup with just one SEC win, which came against Texas, but Mizzou made sure there were no upsets this time. The Tigers stayed locked in for the entire game, avoiding the lapses that cost them against Arkansas.

Tigers’ Defense Shuts Down South Carolina

Defense was the key storyline in this victory, as Mizzou delivered one of its strongest performances of the season. Outside of Collin Murray-Boyles and Jamarii Thomas, no other South Carolina player scored more than five points.

The Gamecocks struggled from deep, making just two three-pointers in the first half while shooting 17% from beyond the arc. Things only got worse in the second half, where they went 0-for-11 from three. The Tigers’ perimeter defense was nothing short of relentless.

South Carolina shot 48% from the field in the first half but cooled down to 38% in the second as Mizzou kept up the pressure. Even with a comfortable lead, the Tigers never let up, ensuring there was no chance of a Gamecock comeback.

Tigers’ Offense Fires on All Cylinders

Despite South Carolina striking first, head coach Dennis Gates had a clear game plan, and his team executed flawlessly.

• 10 different players scored for Mizzou, with six reaching double figures.
• Seven players recorded a steal, with Caleb Grill leading the way with a season-high four steals.
• Grill had a monster game, finishing with 22 points, five rebounds, and four steals in just 20 minutes. He was incredibly efficient, shooting 9-of-11 from the field and 4-of-6 from three.

The Tigers shot a scorching 61% from the field in the first half and improved to 67% in the second, showing incredible efficiency.

Anthony Robinson II Steps Up as a Playmaker

One of the biggest bright spots of the night was Anthony Robinson II, who seems to be blossoming into the playmaker that Coach Gates envisioned.

The sophomore tied his career-high with eight assists, while also adding 14 points, three rebounds, and two steals on 5-of-7 shooting. Most impressively, he turned the ball over just once while running the offense for 25 minutes.

Mizzou Hits 100 Again—Historic Offensive Firepower

Even with limited free-throw opportunities, the Tigers still cracked the 100-point mark, finishing with a 101-71 win.

• It was the first time Mizzou has scored 100+ points in back-to-back home SEC games.
• This marked the fourth time this season they’ve hit triple digits—their most in a season since 2008-09.
• That 2008-09 squad went 31-7, won the Big 12 Championship, and made an Elite Eight run.

This Mizzou offense is shaping up to be the best in nearly two decades, bringing back memories of their dominant past.

Final Takeaways & What’s Next

The game was never in doubt. Mizzou led by as much as 32 points and never let South Carolina get any momentum. While Grill and Robinson shined, the entire team contributed on both ends of the floor—something Coach Gates has consistently praised.

This confidence-boosting win sets the Tigers up for a two-game road trip, beginning Saturday at Vanderbilt, where the Commodores are 13-2 at home. With 21 wins already, Mizzou will look to secure its 22nd victory—something they’ve achieved only once in the past decade.