SEC Tournament: Late threes lead Mizzou to win over Tennessee

Missouri forward Mohamed Diarra grabs a rebound as Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack (15) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the third round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 10, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

by: PJ Green

Posted: Mar 10, 2023 / 05:03 PM CST

Updated: Mar 10, 2023 / 05:30 PM CST

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Missouri Tigers are heading to the SEC Tournament semifinals for the first time since joining the league.

Mizzou beat Tennessee 79-71 on Friday. The Tigers did it by knocking off the defending tourney champ in a taut game featuring 15 ties and 11 lead changes.

D’Moi Hodge led the scoring with 26 points while Kobe Brown added a crucial 24 points and nine rebounds.

The two NCAA tournament-bound teams were within a five-point margin throughout the game.

In the last two minutes, Mizzou’s Nick Honor hit a three-pointer to give the Tigers a three-point lead. Hodge added a three-pointer of his own to increase the lead to six with 1:37 to go, which ultimately sealed the win.

The Tigers (24-8), who joined the SEC in 2012, will now play Alabama at noon Saturday. The Crimson Tide, the regular-season champ never trailed in beating Mississippi State 72-49 earlier Friday.