Mizzou Loses at Buzzer to Illinois in Braggin' Rights Game

A three-point buzzer attempt was no good for the Missouri Tigers in St. Louis against the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Nov 27, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Dennis Gates calls a play during the first half against the Lindenwood Lions at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

ST. LOUIS — The energy in the arena for the annual Braggin' Rights game takes dramatic, see-saw swings. It's not a rollercoaster, but rather a unpredictable ship crashing through waves.

Missouri got seasick Sunday against Illinois, falling 80-77. Its the first loss for Missouri since opening the season with a loss at Memphis.

The first half was predictable and characteristic of both teams — Missouri forced 11 turnovers, but Illinois led the rebound battle 23-to-9. The second half was anything but predictable.

The Tigers rocked back and forth in the second half. The Tigers entered the second half trailing by five, and only led for 18 seconds of the half. But, contiuosly cut down on Illinois leads.

"We kept our foot on the shovel and we kept digging," Missouri head coach Dennis Gates said. That's that's the sign of a good team."

The Tigers seemed to be close to digging through the trenches after a two-point make from Mark Mitchell brought Missouri within two at the 9:50 mark.

But Illinois quickly sailed to take a 10-point lead at the 6:33 mark, its largest lead of the game up to that point.

Missouri responded with 11 unanswered points to take a 68-67 lead with 4:13 remaining, its first lead of the game since the 4:48 mark of the first half. Illinois committed two fouls, gave up a turnover and missed all three of their shots during the run for Missouri.

"You can't compound those moments in that time," Illinois coach Brad Underwood said of the drought for the Illini. "You got to use let the clock burn. You got to trust your defense."

Scoring runs of five points from Illinois and four from Missouri tied the game at 72 with 2:29 remaining. After a collision that sent Tamar Bates and the Missouri possesion sliding out of bounds, Illinois took over.

It setup Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis to sink his third three-point make of the game to break the tie with 2:01 remaining.

"We got to do a better job in terms of executing those defensive assignments in those moments," Gates said of the tense final minutes. "But sometimes players just make big plays and you can't do nothing about it."

On the other end, Bates was the one responsible for a big-time play, tying the game back at 75 with 1:14 remaining. It was only Missouri's second three-point make of the half.

"We respond in adversity," Gates said. "They've stuck together and they've dug themselves out of certain situations."

Exchanging free-throws in the final minute, Illinois' Kylan Boswell first made both of his, followed by Missouri's Jacob Crews also making both of his, both unbothered by the opposing crowds at their backs.

17 seconds after Crews tied the game, Jakucionis again showed up when Illinois needed him most. The true freshman dribbled past the half court, spun out of coverage from Mark Mitchell, one of Missouri's most physical defenders, to make a fadeaway jumper. The shot gave Illinois a 79-77 lead with 29.4 remaining.

"It's just different to be able to do that," Underwood said of Jakucionis showing up in key moments. "[He's] not afraid of the moment. [He doesn't] fear failure"

After Mitchell's three-point shot on the other end was unsuccesful, Missouri sent Boswell back to the line with nine seconds left. Making his first but missing his second, Boswell gave Missouri the opportunity to tie the game with one final shot.

But Crews' three-point shot hung in the air for what felt like minutes before bouncing off the backboard as the final buzzer rang.

If Illinois was looking to follow the Dennis Gates playbook to success — efficiency from the free-throw line and winning the rebound battle — the Fighting Illini accomplished that. Illinois made all but one of their 23 shots from the free-throw line, and won the rebound battle 42-to-30.

The game might as well have been decided at the free-throw line. A combined 28 personal fouls were called in the second half alone. Missouri made 28 of their 37 attempts from the free-throw line.

Sunday's game was even more important for both team than even your typical rivalry game. It marked the last chance for both teams in non-conference play to earn a statement win that would be near the top of the resume come March.

"That's an NCAA tournament team," Underwood said of Missouri.

For Missouri, a win over its neighbors to the east would've proved vital in a stacked SEC conference. It would've proved its win over Kansas was a true showing of this team. However, a three-point loss that showed some of the best fight the Tigers have displayed all season is a solid springboard for Missouri.

"For us, being in these close games and having these lessons to look back onwe'll just know what we have to clean up," Bates said.

Missouri will next close out non-conference play by hosting Alabama State Monday, Dec. 30. It begins SEC play Jan 4., traveling to play No. 2 Auburn.