COLUMBIA, Mo. (Interstat) — In a raucous environment at Mizzou Arena, the Arkansas Razorbacks outlasted the Missouri Tigers 88-84 in overtime Saturday in a pivotal Southeastern Conference men’s basketball clash that saw momentum swing wildly and a career performance nearly steal the show.

A season-high crowd of 15,061 watched as Arkansas, the visiting team, improved to 23-8 overall and 12-6 in the SEC. Missouri fell to 20-11 and 9-9.

The game was ultimately decided in the extra period, where Arkansas scored 14 points to Missouri’s 10. The Razorbacks seized control with a critical 7-0 run early in overtime. After Missouri’s Mark Mitchell split a pair of free throws to open the scoring, Arkansas responded with a layup from Malique Ewin, a three-pointer from Trevon Brazile and a layup from Nick Pringle off a feed from Meleek Thomas to take an 81-77 lead with 3:13 remaining. Missouri would never draw even again.

The most important sequence of the game, however, unfolded in the frantic final seconds of regulation, setting the stage for the overtime drama. With Arkansas clinging to a 74-71 lead, Missouri’s Mitchell drove and scored a layup while being fouled by Billy Richmond with 50 seconds left. Mitchell completed the three-point play to tie the game at 74.

Arkansas worked the clock on its ensuing possession, and Thomas was fouled on a three-point attempt by Anthony Robinson with 31 seconds remaining. Thomas missed the first free throw but calmly sank the second to put Arkansas ahead 75-74. Missouri called timeout to set up a final play.

Out of the break, Missouri went to Mitchell again, but his driving layup was off the mark. T.O. Barrett’s follow attempt also missed as time expired, sending the game to overtime tied. That defensive stand by Arkansas, denying Mitchell on the final possession of regulation after his heroic play moments earlier, proved to be a turning point.

Mitchell, a forward from Kansas City, Kansas, was spectacular in defeat, pouring in a career-high 32 points on 12-of-22 shooting, adding four assists and playing 43 minutes. He was the engine for Missouri, repeatedly attacking the basket and drawing fouls, going 8-for-10 from the free-throw line.

Arkansas countered with a more balanced, though equally potent, offensive attack. Guard Meleek Thomas of Pittsburgh led the Razorbacks with 28 points, including four three-pointers, and played a game-high 45 minutes. Forward Trevon Brazile, playing in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri, added 19 points and was a force on both ends, contributing three steals and two blocks.

The Razorbacks also received significant contributions from their frontcourt. Forward Malique Ewin scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double, while forward Billy Richmond chipped in 10 points, four assists and three steals. Guard DJ Wagner facilitated the offense with 10 points and five assists.

For Missouri, center Shawn Phillips of Dayton, Ohio, provided a strong interior presence with 13 points and four blocks. Forward Trent Pierce scored 13 points, and guard Jayden Stone added 11. Guard Anthony Robinson dished out five assists.

The game was a tale of contrasting halves. Arkansas led 39-36 at halftime, fueled by early transition play and Thomas’s shooting. Missouri responded in the second half, outscoring Arkansas 38-35 behind Mitchell’s relentless aggression to force the extra session.

Both teams battled fiercely in the paint, with Missouri holding a slight 48-44 edge. Points off turnovers were nearly even, with Missouri scoring 18 to Arkansas’s 15. The Razorbacks managed a narrow 10-8 advantage in fastbreak points.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for Arkansas over Missouri, having also won 94-86 in Fayetteville on Feb. 21. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Arkansas entered with a 57.6 percent probability to win and covered the pregame spread of -2. The total score of 172 surpassed the over/under line of 161.5.

The game carried significant weight for both teams’ postseason aspirations as the SEC tournament approaches. Arkansas secured a double-bye and will enter as a high seed, while Missouri will look to regroup and bolster its NCAA tournament resume.