With 13 minutes to play in the first half, SIU combo forward Brendon Gooch buried a 3-pointer to tie the game at 9. By that point Missouri had relied upon the offense of Torrence Watson around the rim, Reek Nikko offensive rebounds, and a lone Dru Smith runner. The Tigers had four turnovers, six missed shots, and were looking like the lost team on offense that we’ve seen for much of the year.
Mark Smith had enough of that. On four consecutive possessions Smith buried 3-pointers, going on his own personal 12 point run to set the tone Missouri needed for the rest of the game.