Jacob Crews’ potential game-tying three-pointer hit back rim, and MU’s 10-game winning streak was snapped in St. Louis.

Unlike the past three iterations of Braggin’ Rights, Sunday’s contest between Mizzou and Illinois was close throughout.

While Mizzou put up a valiant fight, the Illini took their third win in the last four matchups, exiting St. Louis with a thrilling 80-77 victory.

The final 10 minutes of action were a microcosm of the previous 30: both teams trading big scoring runs. Illinois went on a 10-2 run to take a 10-point lead with 6:33 remaining. The Tigers immediately responded with an 11-0 run; a Trent Pierce layup gave MU a 68-67 lead with 4:13 left.

Both teams traded blows over the final four minutes. After Kylan Boswell missed a free throw that would’ve put Illinois up by four with just under 10 seconds left, the Tigers pushed the ball up the floor. Jacob Crews snuck through two defenders and put up what would’ve been the game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer; however, the ball clanked off the back rim, and the Illini survived for their third Braggin’ Rights victory in four seasons.

The Tigers struggled mightily shooting the ball from inside and out for most of the game. They shot just under 40% from the field and were 3/13 from three-point range. Similarly to their game against California, the Tigers supplemented a lack of three-pointers with a heavy dose of free throw attempts (37) and points in the paint (26). Mitchell finished the game with 18 points on six made field goals and six made free throws. But Mizzou’s lack of field goal conversions and free throw makes (28/37; Mitchell was 6/12) were two of the main culprits in the team’s first defeat since the season-opener against Memphis.

Tony Perkins performed well on both ends of the floor; the Iowa transfer finished with 18 points as well, including two monster dunks and three steals. Tamar Bates registered 17 points of his own; however, the trio didn’t get much scoring help, as everyone else shot just 7/24 from the field.

Illinois put together arguably a more balanced effort on both ends of the floor. Four players scored in double-digits, with Kasparas Jakucionis leading the way with 21 points. The Illini also shot 22/23 from the charity stripe and outrebounded Mizzou 42-30. They were able to overcome 17 turnovers, including five from Jakucionis.

The first half featured both teams moving at a frenetic pace. Mizzou’s active hands on defense forced multiple turnovers, and the Tigers scored a few early baskets in the paint. However, Illinois responded quickly, including a couple of three-pointers by Kasparas Jakucionis.

From there, it was back-and-forth for much of the first half. Mizzou fell into a slump offensively, as a pair of Aidan Shaw turnaround floaters represented the only two MU field goals over a five-minute stretch. Illinois tightened up on defense, an effort that was led by Kylan Boswell; the sturdy guard bothered Anthony Robinson II from the get-go, and Robinson was crowded by the Arizona transfer for much of the nine minutes he played in the first half.

Although Illinois entered Sunday as one of the top three-point shooting teams in the nation (No. 5 in attempts, No. 23 in makes), the Illini were intent on attacking the basket, and it paid off with points. Robinson would finish with double the amount of fouls (4) as he did points (2).

The Illini especially dominated the glass in the first half; after losing their first rebounding battle of the season to Tennessee in their last game, Brad Underwood’s crew snatched 23 rebounds compared to just nine for Mizzou.

A 7-0 spurred by Mitchell and Tony Perkins — including a thunderous fastbreak slam by Perkins — put Mizzou ahead 28-24 with just under seven minutes to go. However, Illinois would end the half on a 13-4 run, as Mizzou would only convert one field goal in the final 4:40.

Mizzou’s next contest won’t be until Dec. 30 when it hosts Alabama State at 6:30 p.m. The eight-day hiatus will be the Tigers’ longest for the rest of the regular season.