COLUMBIA, MO. – Jordan Barnett scored 17 points and K.J. Walton added 16 as Missouri defeated Arkansas 83-78 Saturday, snapping a 14-game Southeastern Conference losing streak.
Kevin Puryear had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Cullen Van Leer scored 12.
Missouri (6-16, 1-9 SEC) hosted its second-annual “Rally for Rhyan” to raise money and bring awareness to pediatric cancer research in support of Rhyan Loos, the six-year old daughter of Missouri assistant coach Brad Loos, who has been battling neuroblastoma for over a year and a half.
Jaylen Barford had 23 points and Daryl Macon added 15 for Arkansas (17-6, 9-4), which steadily clawed its way back from a 13-point, halftime deficit, taking advantage of Missouri’s por shooting. The Tigers made just 2 of 11 3-point attempts in the second half, allowing Arkansas to mount several runs, including a 14-5 run that lasted 5:19.
Missouri never surrendered its lead, exploiting Arkansas’ foul trouble to get to the free-throw line and close out the game. Missouri made 23 of 29 free-throw attempts, including 12 of 15 in the second half.
Arkansas’ leading rebounder Moses Kingsley was limited to 23 minutes with foul trouble and finished with just four points and two rebounds. He was charged with a technical foul for shoving Missouri’s Frankie Hughes in frustration after an offensive foul call with 8:29 remaining in the first half.
