Tiger hoops falls in opening round of NCAA tournament despite Jayden Stone’s heroics

ST. LOUIS (KMIZ)

Mizzou men's basketball was sent home by seventh seeded Miami, 80-66 despite senior guard Jayden Stone putting up a season-high 21 points.

The Tigers led 54-52 with 7 minutes, 50 seconds left in the game, but a 13-3 run by the Hurricanes over the next four minutes gave Miami just what it needed. Senior forward Malik Reneau came up with seven of his game-high 24 points during the stretch along and an assist to help give Miami the final lead.

The opening stint of action was ruled by defense. Just seven total points were scored before the first media timeout. Mizzou slowly started to find a rhythm with junior guard Anthony Robinson and Stone knocking down back-to-back 3s.

Miami's defense strengthened after that, holding Mizzou to a five minute scoreless stretch near the end of the first half. But in the final two minutes, Robinson came alive once again, helping the Tigers to a 7-0 run to get back within one at the half, 27-26.

Both sides struggled from the field in the first both shooting just above 30% from the field at the break. Robinson was the top scorer out of all players through one, with eight points, and three assists to go with it.

Going into the second half, Stone was the catalyst for the Tigers' offense with 11 of the team's first 15 points. Mizzou managed to tie the game with just under 10 minutes remaining at 49 a piece, and took the lead outright one possession later.

Missouri went 35%(20-of-57) from the field, while going 36% (10-of-28) from 3. Mitchell scored 19 points for the Tigers.

Miami went 43% (26-of-60) from the floor as freshman forward Shelton Henderson tallied 15 points. Senior center Ernest Udeh Jr. pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, helping Miami take a 46-30 advantage on the boards.

Miami plays Purdue on Sunday.