Missouri Edges No. 19 Vanderbilt 81-80 in Thriller

Tigers overcome 21-point second-half deficit to take down ranked Commodores

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Missouri Tigers rallied from a 21-point second-half deficit to defeat the 19th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores 81-80 in a thrilling back-and-forth contest. The Tigers led by as much as 21 points late in the game before Vanderbilt stormed back to make it a one-possession game in the final minute, but Missouri held on for the narrow victory.

Why it matters

This win over a ranked opponent is a significant resume-building victory for the Tigers, who are looking to bolster their NCAA Tournament hopes with just five games remaining in the regular season. The comeback win also showcases Missouri's resilience and ability to withstand a furious rally from a talented Vanderbilt squad.

The details

Missouri was led by senior guard Jayden Stone, who scored 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Sophomore point guard T.O. Barrett added 16 points, 5 assists and 2 steals. Freshman center Trent Burns also played a key role, contributing 7 rebounds and a block in a career-high 18 minutes of action with senior center Shawn Phillips Jr. in foul trouble.

  • Missouri led by as much as 21 points with 8:41 remaining in the second half.
  • Vanderbilt mounted a furious comeback and trailed by just one possession in the final minute.

The players

Dennis Gates

Missouri Tigers head coach.

Jayden Stone

Senior guard for the Missouri Tigers who led the team with 19 points and 7 rebounds.

T.O. Barrett

Sophomore point guard for the Missouri Tigers who scored 16 points with 5 assists and 2 steals.

Trent Burns

Freshman center for the Missouri Tigers who contributed 7 rebounds and a block in a career-high 18 minutes.

Tyler Tanner

Point guard for the Vanderbilt Commodores who led their late comeback effort.

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What they’re saying

“I thought it was a game of runs. Obviously, we made a great run to respond to the opening portion of the game, and then in the second half, which gave us our largest lead. And I believe that lead was 21. Several guys played beyond their abilities and did some great things.”

— Dennis Gates, Missouri Tigers head coach (SI.com)

What’s next

Missouri will look to build on this win when they host the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday at 3 p.m.

The takeaway

This thrilling comeback victory over a ranked opponent showcases Missouri's resilience and ability to withstand a furious rally, providing a significant resume-building win as the Tigers aim to secure an NCAA Tournament berth in the final stretch of the regular season.