Thrilling Showdown: Georgia Edges Past Missouri
In a thrilling showdown on Tuesday night, No. 21 Georgia managed to edge past Missouri with a score of 74-72, thanks to a crucial late-game performance by Marcus “Smurf” Millender. Millender, who has played as a reserve for all 19 games this season, delivered an impressive 18 points, including a pivotal three-point play just 5.5 seconds before the final buzzer, which turned the tide in Georgia’s favor.
Offensive Struggles for the Bulldogs
Despite this victory, the Bulldogs struggled offensively, marking their lowest scoring output of the season. Entering the match, Georgia boasted the highest average points per game in the country at 96, but they only managed to shoot 36.9% overall against Missouri. Jeremiah Wilkinson and Kannon Catchings were key contributors alongside Millender, scoring 14 and 12 points respectively.
Missouri’s First Home Loss
Missouri, now at 13-6 and 3-3 in the Southeastern Conference, faced their first home loss of the season. Mark Mitchell led the Tigers with 18 points, while Jayden Stone contributed 13 points, along with eight rebounds and six assists. The game saw a tense climax when Jacob Crews netted a challenging 3-pointer with 21 seconds left, giving Missouri a narrow lead at 72-71.
Decisive Moments
However, Millender quickly responded with a drive to the hoop, where he absorbed contact and managed to sink a layup while falling to the floor.
Crews had a chance to redeem Missouri at the end, but his contested long-range shot did not fall, solidifying Georgia’s hard-fought victory.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, Georgia will next travel to Texas on Saturday, while Missouri will host Oklahoma the same day. This match served as an exciting chapter in the ongoing SEC battle and set the stage for what’s to come in the highly competitive conference.
