Mizzou Men's Basketball Roars Back In Final 10 Minutes to Shock Minnesota

Missouri Tigers basketball led Minnesota for just 9.9 seconds of play on Thursday night. That was all they needed in their 70-68 victory.

The Tigers had not stepped on the free-throw line for the entire first 35 minutes of play at Williams Arena. That was until Noah Carter took contact on a successful two-point shot, receiving a trip to the line. Carter's free-throw was successful, making the score 65-61, Missouri's smallest deficit up to that point. The tilt of momentum was palpable.

"That last time, that last opportunity, our guys dug a little deep within their spirit and brought us where we needed to go," head coach Dennis Gates said after his team completed the remarkable comeback on the road. 

Three minutes later, a Tamar Bates' free-throw tied the game for the first time all night at 67 each. The Tigers' sideline finally had life after a dejecting night. 

The anger and dejection of the entire team was captured in the tensed face muscles of Caleb Grill after he was ejected for pushing into the shoulder of an official with 12 minutes remaining. Mizzou trailed 50-39 when Grill was tossed. The emotions that had been building all night for the Mizzou bench had reached a boiling point. Grill's fiery exit, however, only provided motivation for the Tigers. As guard Nick Honor said after the game, the team was determined to 'win it for Caleb.'

"Caleb Grill gave us a spark by being ejected," Gates said. "I truly believe that. Without that we don't win the game ... I credit Caleb Grill, his passion that he plays with."