Missouri Topples Reeling South Carolina in SEC Matchup

Jayden Stone and Mark Mitchell lead the Tigers to a 78-59 victory over the struggling Gamecocks.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 8:15pm

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Jayden Stone scored 22 points and Mark Mitchell added 20 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists as Missouri used strong starts at the beginning of each half to defeat South Carolina 78-59 in Columbia, S.C. T.O. Barrett also contributed 14 points and seven rebounds for the Tigers, who improved their chances of making the NCAA Tournament. Meechie Johnson led the Gamecocks with 13 points, but shot just 2-for-13 from the field.

Why it matters

The win boosts Missouri's hopes of reaching the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last four years, as they currently sit on the bubble. Meanwhile, South Carolina's fifth straight loss continues their struggles in Southeastern Conference play.

The details

Missouri dominated the glass, grabbing 12 offensive rebounds in the first half and finishing with a 44-28 advantage on the boards. The Tigers also shot 70% from the free throw line, a significant improvement from their season average of 58% in SEC road games. South Carolina's Meechie Johnson, coming off a career-high 35 points against Texas, was held to just 13 points on 2-for-13 shooting.

  • Missouri jumped out to a 21-8 lead in the game's first seven minutes.
  • South Carolina cut the deficit to 34-30 at halftime after a strong bench performance from Kobe Knox and Elijah Strong.
  • Missouri responded with a 17-5 run to start the second half and pull away for the victory.

The players

Jayden Stone

The Missouri guard scored a game-high 22 points to lead the Tigers to victory.

Mark Mitchell

The Missouri forward recorded a double-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Meechie Johnson

The South Carolina guard, coming off a career-high 35 points, was held to just 13 points on 2-for-13 shooting.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This game highlights Missouri's strong performance and South Carolina's continued struggles in SEC play, with the Tigers' victory boosting their NCAA Tournament hopes while the Gamecocks' losing streak extends to five games.