COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball (5-13, 0-6) had two players record double-doubles for the first time since the 2012-13 season, but the Tigers fell to Ole Miss (12-7, 3-4) by a score of 75-71 Saturday afternoon at Mizzou Arena. Sophomore guard Terrence Phillips (Orange County, Calif.) recorded 10 points and a career-high 10 assists to notch the second double-double of his career, while senior forward Russell Woods (Chicago, Ill.) dropped 13 points and 11 boards to secure his second career double-double, as well.
Four different Tigers scored in double digits against the Rebels, marking the fifth time this season that at least four Mizzou players have put up 10 points or more.
Leading the way was sophomore forward Kevin Puryear (Blue Springs, Mo.), who poured in a career-best 26 points. Puryear was connecting all day, shooting a career-high 11-of-14 (78.6 percent) from the field and 4-of-4 from three-point range.
Woods put his stamp on the game, scoring 13 points and pulling down a career-high 11 rebounds, the second double-double of his career. He also set a career high with five field goals made.
It was another double-digit scoring performance in conference play for junior forward Jordan Barnett (St. Louis, Mo.). Barnett tallied 11 points in the setback, having now scored 10 or more points in five of Mizzou’s six SEC games this season.
Phillips led the team in assists for the 14th time this season by passing his way to a career-high 10 assists. His previous double-double was accomplished with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Florida on March 5, 2016.
Ole Miss started the first half shooting well from the perimeter, knocking down three three-point shots in the first 5:50 of the game. That start propelled the Rebels to an early 20-8 lead. Mizzou regrouped after the early onslaught and went on a run of their own behind the strong play of Puryear and Woods, pulling within four points of Ole Miss at 24-20.
Woods and Puryear each dropped 11 points in the first half. Both players pulled down six rebounds and helped the Tigers to a 20-12 advantage for points in the paint at the break. As the opening frame came to a close, Ole Miss held a 39-33 advantage, despite being held scoreless for the final 2:43 of play.
The second half was full of fast, exciting basketball with multiple lead changes in the final 8:00 minutes of play. Mizzou took a 57-56 lead at the 7:34 mark off of a three-pointer from sophomore guard Cullen VanLeer (Pacific, Mo.). VanLeer went 3-of-6 (50.0 percent) from long range.
Ole Miss recovered and jumped out to a 71-63 lead with just 2:35 to go. Mizzou battled back, cutting the lead to just two, 73-71, thanks to another VanLeer three, but were unable to get a steal as Ole Miss made a pair of free throws to take the game, 75-71.
Mizzou heads back onto the road for their next SEC matchup at Mississippi State on Wednesday, Jan. 25, in Starkville, Mississippi. Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and can be seen on the SEC Network.
