GAME THREAD: Mizzou visits LSU

Live updates, analysis

Final: LSU 82, Mizzou 78

Missouri fought, but it just wasn’t good enough. LSU made the plays it needed at the end of the game to steal one at home. The Tigers will head back to Columbia and get ready to host Auburn on Saturday.

45.3 2H: After keeping LSU at-bay for so long, Missouri trails 76-73. Columbia’s Tigers have put up a hell of a fight, but a bucket here could ice it.

6:41 2H: Missouri is clinging to a 69-65 lead, but foul trouble is not helping. Five Tigers have at least three fouls, two have four. Not a good look when you’re already missing two starters.

15:36 2H: Missouri is holding on to a slim 49-46 lead. LSU has knocked down 4-of-8 shots this half, including its first 3-pointer of the game.

Halftime: Missouri 43, LSU 37. Missouri did a lot right that half but couldn’t keep themselves from fouling. An already thin lineup could have a few guys in foul trouble next half if the Tigers can’t keep their hands off the opponent.

3:49 1H: Missouri is doing almost everything right. The Tigers are shooting 48% from the field and 45.5% from 3, and have held LSU to just 29.4% from the field and a goose-egg from deep. So why does Missouri only lead by 8? Free throws. LSU is 15-for-18 from the charity stripe.

11:33 1H: Missouri’s extended its lead to 18-10. The Tigers are shooting 41.2% from the field and 42.9% from deep. If they can sustain that, they’ll be in this one for the long haul.

14:31 1H: Missouri leads LSU 12-8 at the first media timeout. Tray Jackson has had some nice early minutes off the bench, with a game-high five points on an easy dunk off an assist from Xavier Pinson and a 3-pointer.

Pregame notes

Per the team, Missouri guard Mark Smith is out once again. This will be his fourth missed game in a row. Smith hasn’t played since the win over Georgia on Jan. 28.

Missouri is in a tough spot heading into its Tuesday night road trip to LSU.

Columbia’s Tigers are coming off a much-needed win over Arkansas in the Rally for Rhyan game last Saturday, but still sit at just 3-7 in the SEC and could be without both Jeremiah Tilmon and Mark Smith once again (Cuonzo Martin said Monday that Smith’s status is uncertain). Meanwhile, Baton Rouge’s Tigers are coming off back-to-back losses to Vanderbilt and Auburn, but they remain ranked in the AP Top 25 and are tied for No. 1 in the SEC with Auburn and Kentucky.

Missouri was able to breathe a sigh of relief after it knocked off Arkansas, but a loss to LSU would take all the wind out of its sails.

Hoops Preview: LSU is looking for a bounce back after two tough losses

The Details

Opponent: LSU Tigers (17-6, 8-2 SEC)

Time: 8 p.m. CT

Where: Maravich Assembly Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Is Mizzou Receiving Top 25 Votes? Not this time

What Does Vegas Say? LSU, -11

Where To Watch: SEC Network | WatchESPN

Radio: Tiger Radio Network // Sirius/XM -119/199

Twitter: @MizzouHoops

Facebook: Mizzou Men’s Basketball

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Five Questions!

1. How many points will Xavier Pinson score?
2. How many minutes will Reed Nikko play?
3. Over/under 45 combined fouls called?
4. Who is your trifecta for the game?
5. What will the final score be?