Mizzou basketball falls to Kentucky for third straight loss

After winning five straight SEC games, the Mizzou basketball team has done a 180 by losing three straight. The Tigers lost to Kentucky on the road 87-66.

With the loss, Mizzou falls to 18-11 (8-8 SEC) with two more SEC games remaining on its schedule before the SEC tournament.The loss is the largest margin for Mizzou all season.

Michael Porter Jr. did not play, and he was not in uniform for the game after getting cleared Thursday.

Mizzou’s frontcourt struggled as Jontay Porter did not score his first basket until just over 8 minutes to go in the second half before later fouling out. Jeremiah Tilmon struggled with foul trouble all game and fouled out after playing just 13 minutes.

Kassius Robertson was the lone bright spot offensively for Mizzou. He led the Tigers with 26 points while just one other player finished in double figures for Mizzou.

For the second straight game, the Tigers struggled defensively. Mizzou allowed Kentucky to shoot 80 percent from three in the first half. The Wildcats entered the game shooting a SEC-worst 33 percent from three. The Wildcats shot 60 percent from three in the game and 54 percent from the field.

Kevin Knox led the Wildcats 21 points after scoring just five against Mizzou in Columbia. Six players for Kentucky finished in double figures.

The Tigers trailed 44-32 at half. Barnett and Robertson combined for 23 of Mizzou’s first-half points. Outside of Barnett and Robertson, Mizzou shot 0-10 from three.

The second half was more of the same as Knox got a steal and transition dunk on Mizzou’s first possession of the second half.

Mizzou next faces Vanderbilt on the road Feb. 27 at 6 p.m.