COLUMBIA, Mo. (Interstat) — In a game defined by its final frantic seconds, Anthony Robinson’s clutch three-pointer with 21 seconds remaining proved the decisive blow as Missouri edged Florida 76-74 in a Southeastern Conference men’s basketball thriller on Saturday at Mizzou Arena.

The contest, played before a crowd of 12,746, was a tense, back-and-forth affair that saw 13 ties and 15 lead changes, with neither team ever leading by more than eight points. It culminated in a dramatic final minute where execution under pressure separated the Tigers from the Gators.

With the score knotted at 71 and under 30 seconds to play, Missouri worked the ball to Robinson, a Tallahassee, Florida, native who led all scorers with 19 points. He calmly sank a three-pointer from the wing to put the Tigers ahead 74-71. Florida’s Thomas Haugh, who had a stellar game with 24 points, was fouled on the ensuing possession and made the first of two free throws with 15 seconds left. He intentionally missed the second, and after a scramble, the Gators retained possession.

Florida inbounded to Alex Condon, who was fouled on a three-point attempt with 9 seconds on the clock. The sophomore from Australia, who finished with 14 points, sank all three free throws to tie the game at 74, setting the stage for the final act.

On Missouri’s final possession, Jacob Crews of Hilliard, Florida, drove and was fouled with 5 seconds remaining. He made both free throws to restore Missouri’s two-point lead. Florida had one last chance, but a rushed, contested three-pointer at the buzzer fell short, sealing the victory for the home team.

The game was a stark contrast in styles and efficiency. Missouri won despite shooting just 18 of 30 from the free throw line, a 60% clip that nearly cost them the game. They offset that with slightly better shooting from the field (25 of 55, 45.5%) and from three-point range (8 of 22, 36.4%), and by committing only seven turnovers. Their offensive rating of 114.7 points per 100 possessions outpaced Florida’s 108.0.

Florida, which fell to 9-5 overall, was led by Haugh’s 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting. The Gators struggled from deep, hitting just 7 of 27 three-point attempts (25.9%), and managed only three assists as a team, highlighting an offense that often relied on individual creation. Their physicality showed in a 12-10 advantage on the offensive glass and 15-of-20 shooting from the foul line.

Missouri, which improved to 11-3, received key contributions beyond Robinson. Mark Mitchell of Kansas City, Kansas, added 14 points, while Crews and Trent Pierce of Tulsa, Oklahoma, chipped in 13 and 10 points, respectively. The Tigers’ defense, which recorded four steals and three blocks, was pivotal in disrupting Florida’s rhythm.

The first half ended in a 39-39 deadlock, foreshadowing the second-half drama. Florida built a small lead early in the second period, but Missouri responded with a 9-2 run midway through to seize control, a margin they would nurse until the final minute.

The loss snaps a three-game winning streak for Florida, which had scored 90 or more points in its last three outings. Missouri, meanwhile, rebounds from a tough 91-48 loss at Illinois in its previous game and opens SEC play with a hard-fought victory.

Florida next hosts Georgia on Tuesday. Missouri travels to face Kentucky on Wednesday.

The most important part of the game, based on the play descriptions, was the sequence in the final 30 seconds. With the score tied at 71, Anthony Robinson’s three-pointer gave Missouri a lead it would not relinquish. Florida’s response—a deliberate missed free throw, an offensive rebound, and a drawn foul on a three-point shot by Alex Condon, resulting in three made free throws—was a masterclass in late-game execution to re-tie the score. However, Missouri’s final possession was more decisive. Jacob Crews aggressively attacked the basket and drew a foul, then calmly sank both free throws with 5 seconds left under immense pressure. This sequence, featuring two go-ahead scores in the final 21 seconds, was the critical juncture where the game was ultimately decided.