The Mizzou Tigers overcame an early deficit against the defending national champions, then stormed out to a second-half lead en route to a 76-74 victory over the 22nd-ranked Florida Gators on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Mizzou Arena to open SEC play.

The Gators had staked an early 9-2 lead, and led by as much as eight in the opening half, but lost the lead at the buzzer by way of Trent Burns’ three-point basket to cap a 10-4 Tiger run. The Tigers kept the momentum early in the second half, scoring the first six points of the half and leading by as much as ten. The Gators would not go away, using a 9-0 run with about five minutes to go to grab what turned out to be their only lead of the stanza. Trent Pierce would get the lead back for Mizzou, delivering a layup and then a three-point basket to make it a two-possession lead with two minutes to go. Florida would keep nipping on Mizzou’s heels, but were not able to land a tying or game-winning basket.

Four Mizzou players were in double figures, led by Anthony Robinson the Second with 19 points and eight rebounds. Mark Mitchell added 14 points, while Jacob Crews netted 13 and Trent Pierce scored ten. The Tigers are now 11-3 overall, and will visit Kentucky on Wednesday night. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.