Zeigler, Milicic return to lead No. 4 Tennessee past No. 15 Missouri, 85-81
Zeigler, Milicic return to lead No. 4 Tennessee past No. 15 Missouri, 85-81
Tennessee forward Cade Phillips (12) reacts to dunking the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack (15) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack (15) passes the ball off as he’s defended by Missouri guard Mark Mitchell and guard Tamar Bates during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee forward Igor Milicic Jr. (7) blocks the shot of Missouri center Josh Gray (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Missouri guard Mark Mitchell battles for the ball with Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler and forward Cade Phillips (during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)wld
Tennessee guard Jordan Gainey collides with Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler as he catches a pass during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee forward Cade Phillips (12) reacts to dunking the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee forward Cade Phillips (12) reacts to dunking the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack (15) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack (15) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack (15) passes the ball off as he’s defended by Missouri guard Mark Mitchell and guard Tamar Bates during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack (15) passes the ball off as he’s defended by Missouri guard Mark Mitchell and guard Tamar Bates during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee forward Igor Milicic Jr. (7) blocks the shot of Missouri center Josh Gray (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee forward Igor Milicic Jr. (7) blocks the shot of Missouri center Josh Gray (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Missouri guard Mark Mitchell battles for the ball with Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler and forward Cade Phillips (during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)wld
Missouri guard Mark Mitchell battles for the ball with Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler and forward Cade Phillips (during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)wld
Tennessee guard Jordan Gainey collides with Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler as he catches a pass during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Tennessee guard Jordan Gainey collides with Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler as he catches a pass during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Zakai Zeigler and Igor Milicic returned to Tennessee’s lineup to each score 21 points in the No. 4 Volunteers’ 85-81 victory over No. 15 Missouri on Wednesday night.
Zeigler also had eight assists, and Milicic added 10 rebounds. They both sat out Saturday in a victory over Florida — Zeigler because of a knee injury, and Milicic with an illness.
Felix Okpara scored 12 points for the Volunteers (19-4, 6-4 Southeastern Conference). They have played five consecutive top-15 opponents, going 3-2.
Tamar Bates led Missouri (17-5, 6-3) with 22 points. Tony Perkins added 16, and Caleb Grill had 11.
Missouri failed to score in the first 5:13. Perkins had 11 of the Tigers’ first 13 points. Missouri led 34-28 at the half.
Takeaways
Missouri: Grill averaged 17 points in his previous five games. That production helped the Tigers’ aggressive defense cause problems for opponents.
Tennessee: Consistency has been a concern. The last two games were classic examples. Tennessee looked disjointed and sloppy in a loss to Kentucky, then aggressive and focused in the win over Florida.
Key moment
Tennessee trailed most of the game until midway through the second half. Chaz Lanier hit a 3-pointer, Felix Okpara had a tip-in and Zeigler hit a 3 and the Vols went up 59-53.
Key stat
Tennessee made 10 of 15 3-pointers.
Up next
Both teams are back in action Saturday. Missouri hosts Texas A&M, and Tennessee is at Oklahoma.
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