Mizzou’s Early Exit from NCAA Tournament: A Closer Look at the 67-57 Loss to Drake

In a disappointing first-round matchup of the NCAA Tournament on March 20, 2025, the sixth-seeded Missouri Tigers faced a 67-57 defeat against the 11th-seeded Drake Bulldogs. The Tigers’ performance was marred by shooting inefficiencies and turnovers, leading to an early exit from the tournament.

Mizzou’s Struggles on Offense

The Tigers’ shooting woes were evident throughout the game. They converted only 33% of their field goal attempts and 25% from beyond the arc. This shooting inefficiency was compounded by ball-handling issues, as Mizzou committed 17 turnovers, surpassing their 15 successful field goals. These mistakes were particularly costly against a disciplined Drake team that controlled the game’s tempo.

Drake’s Dominant Performance

Drake’s guard, Bennett Stirtz, was the standout player of the game. Playing the entire 40 minutes, Stirtz scored 21 points, making 8 of 11 field goal attempts, including all three of his three-point shots. His performance was instrumental in Drake maintaining a lead for all but 2 minutes and 33 seconds of the game. Stirtz also contributed four assists, showcasing his all-around skills.

Key Moments in the Game

With 4:28 remaining and Mizzou narrowing the gap to a single point, Stirtz responded with a crucial jumper in the paint, sparking a 6-0 run that shifted the momentum back in Drake’s favor. In the final minutes, Mizzou’s offense faltered, managing only two field goals—both dunks—over the last 7:42 of the game. This scoring drought sealed their fate, as Drake capitalized on the Tigers’ inability to execute offensively.

Mizzou’s Free Throw Efficiency

Despite their shooting difficulties, Mizzou found success at the free-throw line, converting 23 of 26 attempts. However, this efficiency was not enough to overcome their overall shooting struggles and turnover issues.

Individual Performances

Anthony Robinson II had a challenging game, fouling out with just four points, two assists, and three turnovers on 0-of-5 shooting. Caleb Grill led the Tigers with 14 points but struggled from three-point range, making only one of seven attempts. Tamar Bates added 10 points, and Mark Mitchell contributed eight points on 2-of-8 shooting. The team’s collective performance fell short against a well-coached and efficient Drake squad.

Season Overview

This early exit concludes a season that saw Mizzou finish with a 22-12 record, including a 10-8 mark in conference play. While the Tigers showed promise throughout the season, their performance in the NCAA Tournament highlighted areas needing improvement, particularly in shooting consistency and ball control. The loss to Drake marks the Tigers’ first March Madness victory since 2010, underscoring the challenges they face in advancing deep into the tournament.

About Bennett Stirtz

Bennett Stirtz, a junior guard from Liberty, Missouri, has been a pivotal figure for Drake this season. After transferring from Northwest Missouri State, Stirtz led the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) in scoring (19.1 points per game), assists (5.7 per game), and steals (2.2 per game). His exceptional play earned him the MVC Larry Bird Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors. Stirtz also received recognition as a finalist for the Lou Henson Award, presented annually to the top mid-major player in college basketball. (godrakebulldogs.com, godrakebulldogs.com)

Looking Ahead

For Mizzou, the focus will be on addressing the offensive inconsistencies and turnover issues that plagued their tournament performance. The Tigers will aim to build on the positive aspects of their season and work towards a more successful campaign in the upcoming year.

Drake, on the other hand, continues to ride the momentum of their strong season, with Stirtz’s leadership and the team’s cohesion making them a formidable opponent in the tournament.