Mizzou falls short of first SEC win despite Bates’ big night

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Five SEC games are in the books, and Dennis Gates' crew is still searching for its first conference win this season. The Tigers have now dropped eight of their last nine games after losing to Florida 79-67 at Mizzou Arena, despite Tamar Bates' highest-scoring performance in a Tiger uniform.

You can watch the full postgame press conference with head coach Dennis Gates, as well as guard Nick Honor and Bates in the video player below.

Bates posted a season-best 36 points in this contest, accounting for more than 50% of Mizzou's total offense against the Gators. Honor was the only other Tiger to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points.

This is just the second time since Mizzou joined the SEC that the Tigers have lost its first five SEC games to start conference play. Kim Anderson's team from the 2016-2017 season was the last group to suffer a five-game losing skid to tip off SEC play, starting their conference schedule with an 0-9 record.

Saturday night's game was close throughout the first half. Mizzou's four-point advantage at the 11:16-mark was the biggest lead held by either team during the first 20 minutes. However, a 10-2 Gator scoring run early in the second half helped Florida pull away and eventually win by 12 points.

As a team, Mizzou shot a solid 43.4% from the field but struggled to connect from three-point range, making just 3 of its 16 triples in the contest. On the opposite end of the court, Florida drained 40.9% of its three-pointers and out-rebounded Mizzou by 13 boards.

While the Tigers only had two players finish with double-digit points, the Gators recorded five different performances of 10 points or more. Tyrese Samuel was Florida's leading scorer with 17 points.

Up next - Mizzou hits the road for a matchup with Texas A&M at College Station. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.