Sat Jan 24 21:10:00 UTC 2026: # Mizzou Tigers Battle Oklahoma Sooners in Tightly Contested Matchup
The Story: The Mizzou Tigers faced off against the Oklahoma Sooners in a closely fought basketball game at Mizzou Arena on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Despite a strong start and dominance in the paint, the Tigers struggled from beyond the arc, ultimately finding themselves in a back-and-forth battle with the Sooners. Oklahoma’s strong outside shooting kept them in the game, leading to a narrow halftime deficit and a tense second half.
The game was characterized by multiple lead changes, strategic substitutions by Mizzou’s coach Dennis Gates (with 12 players seeing the floor), and standout performances, particularly from T.O. Barrett, who scored 18 points. However, Mizzou’s inability to consistently hit three-pointers and a flagrant foul call against Shawn Phillips Jr. allowed Oklahoma to maintain a competitive edge.
Key Points:
- Mizzou started strong, leading 7-3 early in the first half.
- Mizzou dominated in points in the paint (22-2), but Oklahoma excelled from beyond the arc (6-of-12 compared to Mizzou’s 1-of-10 at halftime).
- T.O. Barrett scored 18 points and played a crucial role in keeping Mizzou competitive.
- Shawn Phillips Jr. committed a flagrant foul in the second half.
- Oklahoma led 37-36 at halftime.
- Mizzou made strategic substitutions, using 12 players throughout the game.
- Anthony Robinson II had his 23rd career game with at least four fouls.
Key Takeaways:
- Mizzou’s success hinges on improving their three-point shooting efficiency.
- T.O. Barrett’s performance demonstrates his potential as a key offensive player.
- Foul trouble for players like Anthony Robinson II needs to be addressed to avoid limiting their playing time.
- The game highlights the importance of adapting strategy based on opponent strengths (Oklahoma’s outside shooting).
- Strategic substitutions are a key part of Mizzou’s game plan under Coach Dennis Gates.
First Piper 