COLUMBIA -- The Missouri Tigers started 2022 on a high note.
Missouri took a 92-86 upset win Saturday against the No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide in the Tigers’ Southeastern Conference home opener and their first game of the new year.
The offensive performance marks the most points the Tigers have scored this season, while matching the hot-shooting Tide from the field and from 3. Alabama came into the matchup leading the SEC in 3-point shooting and overall scoring, while the Tigers have struggled from deep all season.
“This was big,” Missouri forward Kobe Brown said. “It’s definitely a confidence boost. We worked really hard all week and we feel like we deserved it.”
Both teams connected on 9-of-24 shots from 3, while Missouri hit 31-of-63 shots overall and the Crimson Tide hit 33-of-67. The shooting success led the Tigers to their first win against a ranked opponent this season.
“You’re playing basketball at the highest level and arguably the toughest league in America when you’re talking talent, athleticism and skill,” Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin said. “So every night, you have work to do.”
An early second-half run set the Tigers in front.
After Alabama took a 43-40 lead into halftime, the Tigers opened on a 10-4 run, building a 50-47 lead after Javon Pickett spun into the post and under a defender for a layup with 17:20 left to play. They were two of Pickett’s 15 points.
Missouri then went on a 7-0 run with Pickett leading the charge.
“We were sharing the ball,” Martin said. “… I think it says a lot about our guys, finding ways to execute on offense and to drive the ball. We’ve talked about, as a staff, about having to put restrictions on guys on when they shoot 3s so shots aren’t just going up, you’re taking good shots, shots you’ve practiced, driving that ball and putting pressure on the defense.”
Pickett drove the baseline then dished to a cutting Kaleb Brown for a layup, then used an offensive rebound to create a layup for two of Missouri’s 17 second-chance points.
Pickett drove the baseline again, leaping away from the basket and hitting a floater as he was fouled. Pickett then hit the free throw to build a 57-49 Tiger lead with 15:07 remaining.
“The crowd was tremendous today, when I made the shot, a couple of guys before me had made shots,” Pickett said. “When I hit the and-one, the guys did a great job cheering me on and I fed into that.”
After two Alabama free throws, the Tigers continued to charge.
Kobe Brown hit two free throws, two of his game-high 30 points, then used a Pickett assist on a fast-break to create the Tigers’ first 10-point advantage of the night at 61-51 with 13:26 left.
“Kobe is a physical presence,” Martin said. “… It’s hard for one guy to keep him off the glass. He keeps coming. … When you put that kind of pressure on teams, you’ve got a chance to get your share.”
Ronnie DeGray then hit a 3 from the top of the key to keep extending Missouri’s advantage.
The Tigers built as far as an 18-point lead after Kobe Brown used an offensive rebound, one of his game-high 13 boards, for a putback to put the Tigers ahead 72-54 with 10:44 left.
“My teammates were finding me, I didn’t know how many points I had,” Kobe Brown said. “… I just stayed with what we were doing and made the most of it.”
Alabama began to cut the lead, but Missouri still led by as many as 14 points with 5:18 left, then the Crimson Tide got to work.
A Noah Gurley layup brought the advantage down to 10 points, then a JD Davison fastbreak layup brought Missouri’s lead to 82-74 with 3:39 left. It was the first time the Tigers’ lead was under 10 since 14:25.
A Keon Ellis layup, two of his 12 points, cut the Missouri lead to six at 84-78, then an Ellis 3 from the top of the key cut it to 86-81 with 30 seconds left.
Missouri held off the final run, staying at least four points ahead in the final 30 seconds.
“We’re going to go into each game with confidence,” Coleman said. “Go in knowing you can compete with anybody. I feel like every game, our coaches do a great job and it’s just on us to go out there and carry it over.”
Missouri’s offense was working early, jumping ahead 9-0 to start the game, but streaky runs from Alabama brought the Crimson Tide back to a tie at 9, then led to eight lead changes and three ties in the first half.
The biggest margin for Missouri came on the glass, with the Tigers out--rebounding the Crimson Tide 43-31 and grabbing 16 offensive boards.
“We emphasize rebounding every game because we’re not the biggest team,” Coleman said. “… If you hold them to one shot, you’ve got a good chance to win the game every time.”
Kobe Brown led the game with his double-double of 30 points and 13 rebounds, while Coleman scored 18 points, grabbed eight boards and dished out a game-high six assists for the Tigers.
Both Pickett and DaJuan Gordon scored 15 points for Missouri.
Jahvon Quinerly led Alabama with 19 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Jaden Shackelford scored 17 points.
Davison scored 13 and dished out four assists for the Crimson Tide, while Ellis had 12 points and four steals.
“Our guys did a tremendous job against a very talented team,” Martin said. “… We have a ways to go as a team, but I think we’ve made tremendous strides.”
Missouri (7-7, 1-1 SEC) continues SEC play when it goes to Arkansas at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Alabama (11-4, 2-1) hosts Auburn at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
“This is a good feeling,” Pickett said. “… It’s in the past now, so we’re on to the next game.”