ST. LOUIS — In the 55th meeting and the 48th edition of the Braggin’ Rights game, Illinois triumphed over Missouri, earning its 35th rivalry win with a narrow 80-77 victory Sunday afternoon. Missouri had a chance to tie the game as Jacob Crews hoisted up a clean look from three, but it was not meant to be, just rimming out as time expired, keeping the Braggin' Rights glory on the west side of the border.
Crews scored all seven of his points in the final 5:30, sparking the Tigers with a corner three before nailing four critical free throws in crunch time. After a missed jumper by Trent Pierce, Crews hustled for an offensive rebound and drew a foul with 45 seconds remaining. He calmly sank both foul shots to tie the game at 77-77, but despite his late heroics, his efforts fell just short in the end.
The game had all the hallmarks of a classic rivalry — gritty, physical play with bodies hitting the floor throughout. Passion ran high on both sides, and Missouri head coach Dennis Gates embodied that intensity more than ever during his tenure with the Tigers. Tensions boiled over after a series of no-calls on Missouri drives to the rim left the Tigers’ bench visibly frustrated.
The breaking point came when Anthony Robinson II, chasing a loose ball, was shoved to the ground without a foul call. Gates, incensed, stormed onto the court mid-play to confront the nearside official, letting his frustration be known. It was a well-earned technical foul, and any baseball fan watchin.