Barrett scores career-high 28 points as Missouri beats No. 22 Tennessee 73-69

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Missouri's T.O. Barrett, left, and Trent Pierce (11) celebrate their victory over Tennessee during the second half of an NCAA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Missouri's Mark Mitchell (25) celebrates during the final minute of their victory over Tennessee during the second half of an NCAA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) — Missouri's T.O. Barrett, left, and Trent Pierce (11) celebrate their victory over Tennessee during the second half of an NCAA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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8:34 PM on Tuesday, February 24

By DAVID SOLOMON

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — T.O. Barrett scored a career-best 28 points and Mark Mitchell added 23 to help Missouri beat No. 22 Tennessee 73-69 on Tuesday night.

Trent Burns had seven rebounds and four steals off the bench for the Tigers (19-9, 9-6 Southeastern Conference), who improved to 3-1 at home this season against AP Top 25 opponents and 18-1 when scoring at least 73 points.

Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 19 points, Nate Ament had 17 and Felix Okpara added 15 points and eight rebounds for Tennessee (20-8, 10-5), which had won four consecutive games and eight of the past nine.

Tennessee outrebounded Missouri 42-30 but scored just 20 second-chance points despite grabbing 18 offensive boards. It was the sixth time a ranked Volunteers team lost to an unranked opponent this season.

Bishop Boswell hit a layup with 4 seconds left to cut Missouri’s lead to 71-69, but Jacob Crews made two free throws on the other end to seal the win.

The teams exchanged leads in the second half before Trent Pierce hit a 3-pointer with 10:37 remaining to give the Tigers a 48-45 advantage they did not relinquish.

Barrett dunked to finish a 14-3 run that gave Missouri a 26-24 lead with 1:07 left in the first half before Gillespie scored five straight points to close the period.

Ament drained a 3 with 16:28 remaining in the first half to cap a 10-0 run that put the Volunteers ahead 12-2.

Up next

Tennessee hosts No. 17 Alabama on Saturday night.

Missouri plays at Mississippi State on Saturday.

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