COLUMBIA, Mo. | Alabama State University men's basketball battled back repeatedly but could not overcome the University of Missouri, falling 85–77 Thursday night at Mizzou Arena.
The Hornets (3–7) shot an efficient 47.5 percent from the field and matched the Tigers from long range at 50 percent from three, but Missouri (9–2) controlled the paint, outscoring ASU 46–26 inside and shooting 64.7 percent overall.
Asjon Anderson led Alabama State with 23 points, hitting five three-pointers and sparking multiple second-half pushes as the Hornets tried to chip away at Missouri's lead. Damarien Yates added 13 points on near-perfect shooting, and Tyler Byrd came off the bench to supply 11 points, three assists, and four steals. Micah Simpson contributed 10 points, including a pair of key threes that fueled ASU's momentum.
Missouri opened the game hot, converting 20 of 28 first-half attempts (71.4 percent) and building an 18-point lead with just over two minutes remaining before halftime. The Hornets, however, closed the half with a needed push, highlighted by a deep three from Tyler Mason, to cut the deficit to 52–39 at the break.
Alabama State played its best basketball over the final 20 minutes. The Hornets outscored Missouri 38–33 in the second half, using a 10–0 run midway through the period to pull within single digits. Anderson's shooting and Byrd's defensive pressure ignited the surge, while Stanback and Mason provided critical second-chance points to keep the game in reach.
But each time ASU threatened, Missouri answered. The Tigers leaned on Anthony Robinson II (19 points), Mark Mitchell (15), and sharpshooter Jacob Crews, who finished with 20 points and six made threes. A Crews triple with 3:35 remaining halted ASU's final rally, stretching the Missouri lead to 11 and sealing the outcome.
Despite the loss, Alabama State showcased resilience, winning bench scoring 29–22 and forcing 15 Missouri turnovers. The Hornets also generated 13 second-chance points and nine fast-break points in an up-tempo effort that kept the game competitive deep into the second half.
Alabama State remains on the road to take on the University of Cincinnati on Wed., Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. in Cincinnati, Ohio.
