No. 20 Arkansas, playing without Darius Acuff, went into Columbia and defeated Missouri 88-84 on Saturday.
Arkansas (23-8, 13-5) got out to a 15-point lead, 35-20, in the first half, but then saw Missouri fight back and miss a shot at end of regulation to force the game into overtime. Missouri (20-11, 10-8) had chances to win it in regulation and then overtime, but Meleek Thomas and Malique Ewin stepped up and took control.
Missouri took an 82-81 lead on a conventional 3-point play by Shawn Phillips Jr. with 51 seconds remaining in overtime. However, Arkansas' Trevon Brazile put the Razorbacks in front for good with a clutch 3-point basket with 38 seconds left. John Calipari won his 900th game as head coach.
"If I cared about that stuff Darius Acuff would have played today," Calipari said. "What an environment, sold out arena and Missouri playing great. It was a game we had to really just gut it out. They weren't going to give us the game. We had to go take something, but a great win for my kids."
Following Brazile's 3-pointer, Ewin missed two free throws leaving the Hogs clinging to an 84-82 lead with 20 seconds remaining. Brazile then forced a Missouri turnover and Ewin came up with the loose ball. The Tigers fouled him with eight seconds left in overtime. This time, Ewin hit both his free throws to put Arkansas up 86-82. Missouri made a field goal and then fouled Ewin again with five seconds left in overtime. Once again Ewin sank them both to set the final score. Calipari then was asked about the 900 wins again.
"That stuff when you do this a long time that's the stuff that happens," Calipari said. "Parents trust you with their child and I've been fortunate with that. Never had one of my best players be a jerk. All great guys.
"That means some great talent. NBA all-stars, couple of MVP's in the NBA, potential Players of the Year and Rookie of the Year. You are going to win a whole lot of games and I've been blessed. And I've had great staffs."
Calipari praised Ewin who finished with17 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. In addition to his four clutch free throws at the end to put the game out of reach, Ewin also hit a 3-pointer with 2:25 remaining in overtime to put Arkansas up 81-77 at that point.
"I called him in last night," Calipari said. "I just want to do everything in my power to help you. I'm not giving up on you, but I can't do it for you. I told him about Chris Wilcox at Maryland. He didn't play much as a freshman and halfway through his sophomore season he went on a run. Maryland won the national championship and he was a first-round draft choice. I said that can be you, but you've got to go do it."
Arkansas held a 39-36 lead at intermission. Missouri had gone on a 16-4 run to end the half to erase the 15-point deficit. Missouri had its largest lead of the game, 62-57, with 8:20 remaining in regulation.
Mark Mitchell topped Missouri with 32 points and added four rebounds to go with six assists. With Arkansas leading 73-71, Mitchell made a basket and then completed the 3-point play to put the Tigers up 74-73 with 50 seconds left in regulation.
Thomas went to the free throw line with 31 seconds left and a chance to put the Razorbacks up. However he only made one of the two at the charity stripe and neither team could score again in regulation.
Thomas topped the Hogs with 28 points while adding seven rebounds and two assists. Brazile had 19 points, nine rebounds and three steals. D.J. Wagner, starting in place of Acuff, had 10 points, four rebounds and five assists. Billy Richmond III had six points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals before fouling out in overtime. He and Nick Pringle both fouled out of the game.
Phillips and Trent Pierce both had 13 points for Missouri. Jaylin Stone had 11 points and T.O. Barrett chipped in 10 points.
Arkansas shot 49% from the field, 50% from deep and 75% at the free throw line. Arkansas outrebounded Missouri 38-34.
Arkansas will next play on Friday in the SEC Tournament. They will either be the second or third seed. Acuff was held out against Missouri to try and get his ankle as close to 100% as possible by Friday.