If you were looking for a high-flying offensive clinic in Columbia, you probably left disappointed. Honestly, it was a rough night for the visiting Tigers. The final score of the Auburn game was Missouri 84, Auburn 74.
The game, played tonight, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Mizzou Arena, was a bit of a reality check for Steven Pearl's squad. After that emotional high of beating Arkansas earlier this week, Auburn just couldn't find that same rhythm on the road. It marks Missouri’s first win over Auburn since the 2019-2020 season, which is kind of wild when you think about how much these two programs have shifted in the SEC hierarchy lately.
A Gritty Battle at Mizzou Arena
The game started off looking like it might be Auburn's night. They came out aggressive on defense, jumping to an early 12-5 lead. You could see the defensive intensity that has become a hallmark of the program. But Missouri is a different beast at home. They weathered that initial storm and slowly started chipping away.
By halftime, Mizzou had grabbed a 38-34 lead. The second half didn't get much prettier for the visitors. Every time Auburn tried to make a run, Missouri had an answer. Usually, that answer came at the free-throw line or through a timely second-chance bucket.
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Key Stats That Defined the Night
If you look at the box score, a few things jump out immediately:
- Field Goal Percentage: Auburn shot just 41% from the floor. That’s their worst performance since the blowout loss to Purdue earlier in the season.
- The Hall Factor: Keyshawn Hall, who had been on an absolute tear with 32 points in back-to-back games, was held to just 10 points. Missouri clearly made him the focus of their defensive scheme, and it worked.
- Free Throws: Missouri lived at the stripe, knocking down enough foul shots in the closing minutes to keep the game just out of reach.
Elyjah Freeman and Kevin Overton were the bright spots for Auburn, finishing with 13 points each. Sebastian Williams-Adams added 12 points before fouling out late in the second half, which basically sealed Auburn's fate.
Why the Final Score of the Auburn Game Matters
This loss drops Auburn to 10-7 overall and 1-3 in SEC play. In the meat grinder that is the Southeastern Conference, every road loss feels like a missed opportunity for NCAA Tournament seeding.
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The SEC is incredibly deep this year. You've got teams that were projected to be bottom-feeders suddenly playing like Top 25 programs. Missouri (13-4, 3-1 SEC) showed they are for real, using their physicality to bully an Auburn team that usually prides itself on being the toughest group on the floor.
Recent Results for Auburn Basketball
If you're trying to keep track of where this team stands, here's a quick look at the recent slate of games:
- January 10: Auburn 95, Arkansas 73 (A dominant home win at Neville Arena)
- January 6: Texas A&M 90, Auburn 88 (A heartbreaking narrow loss)
- January 3: Georgia 104, Auburn 100 in OT (A high-scoring thriller that didn't go Auburn's way)
The consistency just isn't there yet. One night they look like Final Four contenders, and the next, they struggle to clear 70 points against a zone defense.
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What’s Next for the Tigers?
Auburn doesn't have much time to lick their wounds. The schedule only gets tougher from here. They need to find a way to get Tahaad Pettiford back on track. He was only 3-of-12 from the field against Missouri and finished with zero assists in the second half. For this offense to hum, the guard play has to be more dynamic.
The road ahead is steep. Winning in the SEC requires more than just talent; it requires being able to execute when the crowd is screaming and the officiating is... let's call it "home-cooked." Auburn showed flashes of that tonight, but the final score of the Auburn game reflects a team that still needs to learn how to close out games on the road.
Watch the turnover margin in the next outing. If Auburn can keep that under 10 and get Keyshawn Hall back to his 20-point-per-game average, they’ll be fine. If not, it’s going to be a long climb back to the top of the conference standings.
Keep an eye on the injury report heading into the weekend. With Williams-Adams fouling out and the rotation shortening, depth might become an issue if the minutes continue to pile up for the starters. The Tigers need to find their identity again, and fast.
Check the official SEC standings tomorrow morning. You’ll see a very crowded middle of the pack, and Auburn is right in the thick of it. Every possession counts from here on out.