COLUMBIA, Mo. — In front of the biggest home crowd in two years, the Missouri Tigers and their fans made a clear statement at Mizzou Arena on Saturday: Neither has given up on a once-lifeless season.
With 12,506 on hand, including a packed student section, Mizzou held off No. 11 Auburn 85-73, breaking up a seven-game winning streak for what had been the Southeastern Conference’s hottest team.
Playing again without injured starters Mark Smith and Jeremiah Tilmon, Mizzou barely missed them as Dru Smith and Xavier Pinson outdueled Auburn’s prolific backcourt and carried the Tigers to, arguably, their biggest win in Martin’s three seasons.