Runs at the beginning and end of the contest, including a 14-4 advantage in the final four minutes, allowed the seventh-seeded Missouri Tigers to get past Mississippi State 85-73 on Thursday, March 13, in the second round of the SEC Tournament in Nashville, setting up a quarterfinal clash with second-seeded Florida.

The Tigers took a 17-10 lead midway through the first, boosted by a ten-point run. Mizzou extended the lead on a pair of Bulldog fouls, but Mississippi State would tie the game twice before Mizzou wrapped up the half leading 39-34. The two teams exchanged the lead several times in the second half, including an 8-0 run by Mississippi State to lead 55-52. But Mizzou’s defense finally held firm in the final five minutes, forcing the Bulldogs to miss seven straight attempts from the field while allowing Caleb Grill to give Mizzou the lead for good just before the game’s final media timeout.

Tamar Bates led Mizzou with 25 points, while Tony Perkins had a season-best 20 points to lead Mizzou. The Tigers shot 49 percent from the field and 23 of 28 from the free-throw line, while limiting Mississippi State to 36 percent from the field. The Tigers had a decisive 19-6 advantage on fast break points, as well as 43-35 on the glass.

The win snaps a three-game losing streak for Mizzou, who now face second-seeded Florida on Friday at 6 p.m. Pregame coverage from the Tiger Radio Network begins at 5:30 p.m. on KMMO-FM 102.9.