Mizzou hoops falls to Georgia in a tight conference opener

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Despite overcoming a 17-point deficit in the first half, the Mizzou men's basketball team could not complete the comeback win against Georgia, on Saturday. With the 75-68 loss, the Tigers opened SEC action with a loss to fall to 8-6 on the season.

You can watch the full postgame press conference with Mizzou men's basketball coach Dennis Gates and players in the video player below.

All signs were pointing towards a comeback, as MU went on a 17-2 run to finish the first half make it a two-point ball game at the break. Out of the locker room, the game stayed competitive and the Tigers even took the lead a few times, but to no avail. Mizzou could not close it out down the stretch.

Four Tigers got into double digits, on Saturday. Guard Sean East led the team in scoring, once again, with 18 points. Guard Tamar Bates, forward Aidan Shaw and forward Noah Carter were right behind him in double digits, as well.

Mizzou struggled to defend the perimeter against the Bulldogs. Georgia hit 12 3-pointers in the win, Justin Hill leading the charge with four of his own.

Up next - Gates and company will hit the road to meet Kentucky on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Tip off is at 6 p.m.