Mizzou Basketball Drops Heartbreaker to Jackson State in Final Seconds

Chase Adams' shot bounced around the rim at Mizzou Arena for what felt like minutes. Finally, the fade-away shot landed through the net to put Jackson State ahead of Mizzou at 73-72 with just three seconds remaining. Jackson State had regained the lead for the first time in six minutes. 

An unsuccessful last-ditch offensive effort for Mizzou gave Jackson State their first win on the 2023 season.

Mizzou seemed to have their fourth win of the season nearly wrapped up when they led 71-65 with 1:17 remaining. Three straight successful field-goals for Jackson State, however, tied the game in the final minute.

Despite this, Mizzou still had control of Sunday's game. Until a misguided pass from guard Caleb Grill placed it in the hands of Jackson State.

Losing on a turnover was, unfortunately, a predictable fate for Mizzou. Head coach Dennis Gates' squad gave up 18 turnovers that Jackson State would turn into 26 points. 

"They did a tremendous job of forcing us into those turnovers," Gates said. "Our guys wasn't able to be as strong as their guys picking up the ball. They scrapped, they clawed and they did everything they were supposed to do to win a game."

With 11 of Mizzou's turnovers coming in the first half, the Tigers of Columbia we're unable to find much rhythm in the first half. Mizzou held a narrow 37-34 edge over Jackson State at the end of the half while only making 53.8% of their field goal attempts.

To open the second half, Mizzou would find momentum by going on a 10-0 run. Guard Caleb Grill fueled the Tigers in the final 20 minutes by making four three-point shots, an electrifying dunk while also finding seven rebounds.

Grill's 15 points on the night were the second most for Mizzou, only behind Nick Honor with 17. Though Honor led the team, he undoubtedly will wish he had made one more specific shot — a free-throw in the final 30 seconds when the game was tied.

Honor only made one of his two attempts at the charity-stripe, limiting Mizzou's lead to just one point. If the graduate guard had made both of his shots, Adams' last-minute shot for Jackson State would've only tied the game.

Looking ahead, Honor and the rest of the team will look to improve from Sunday's rough loss.

"In the future, I'm excited to see us bounce back," Honor said. "I know we'll go back and look at film and try to fix those things that we messed up on tonight."

For Gates, he will again emphasize the idea of turning losses into lessons.

"One game doesn't define you," Gates said. "One game doesn't define us. I think our guys are going to use this as a lesson to be able to move forward."

Mizzou will continue their 2023 campaign on Wednesday night when they host South Carolina State at Mizzou Arena at 6 p.m.