NCAAMB Games of the Weekend: January 3-4

by Elias Meredith 1/4/26 Sportz Nation

SATURDAY: 22 FLORIDA AT MISSOURI

Photo by James Biggerstaff/Imagn Images

Saturday night, the Florida Gators and the Missouri Tigers faced off to kick off SEC play. Junior guard Anthony Robinson II led Missouri to an upset win over their conference rival, dropping 19 points and 8 rebounds in the victory. A great bounce back game from a Missouri club who came off a 53-point loss to Illinois in their previous game.

The game stayed close throughout the first half. Florida led the whole first half after the first two minutes, and would not relinquish the lead, but did not have a lead more than 8 as Missouri stayed within striking distance.

Missouri would close the gap, and the game would be tied at 39 at the end of the first half.

The Tigers would start the second half on 6-0 run to grab their first lead of the game. They would lead by as much as 8 in the second half. Missouri would hold on to the lead until the 3:38 mark in the second half, where junior forward Thomas Haugh put Florida ahead with his second triple of the game, but Missouri responded.

Junior guard/forward Trent Pierce scored Missouri’s next five points to give his club a four-point advantage with 2:12 left.

The biggest shot of the game came down the stretch. Missouri was up 71-69 coming out of a timeout. Robinson came off an on-ball screen and drilled a pull-up three pointer off the glass to put the Tigers up by five with 22 seconds left, sealing the game for the Tigers.

Saturday night, Missouri won their first game of the season against a ranked opponent, and snapped Florida’s four game winning streak In the process.

Key to Victory: Late game responses

In the last two minutes, Missouri stifled Florida’s comeback effort by responding to each Florida score. The biggest response was Robinson’s three pointer, which gave Missouri a five-point lead with 42 seconds remaining.

Next for the Tigers: Wednesday, January 7 at Kentucky Wildcats at 7 PM EST

Next for the Gators: Wednesday, January 7 vs #23 Georgia Bulldogs at 7 PM EST

SUNDAY: RICHMOND AT FORDHAM

Photo by Richmond Spiders Athletics

Sunday afternoon, the Richmond Spiders traveled up Interstate 95 to visit the Fordham Rams at Rose Hill Gym on the campus of Fordham University. Graduate student guard Will Johnston exploded for 20 second half points to lead Richmond to an 83-75 win over Fordham. The win gives Richmond their first conference win of the season, and drops Fordham to 0-2 in conference play.

Richmond led the whole first half, but Fordham stuck around, keeping the deficit at single digits. Junior forward Rikus Schulte led Fordham's offensive attack in the first half. The Munster, Germany native had 11 first half points for the Rams. Richmond were led in the first half by senior big man Mike Walz. The Berwyn, PA native went a perfect 4-4 from three in the first half. The Spiders led at halftime 33-28.

In the second half, Fordham finally broke the seal, taking the lead for the first time. The Rams started the second half on a 15-4 run. Richmond came storming back courtesy of Will Johnston. Johnston scored his first points at the 13:21 mark of the second half, and had his best overall performance of the season on Sunday afternoon. The Sydney, Australia native finished with 20 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, and a steal.

Sunday afternoon, Richmond captured their eighth consecutive win, and 22nd win in the last 23 games against Fordham.

Key to Victory: Richmond’s three point shooting

The Spiders were on fire from beyond the arc. They went 13-19 from three (69%). Richmond’s highest single game three point percentage since 2010.

Next for the Spiders: Wednesday, January 7 at St. Bonaventure Bonnies at 7 PM EST

Next for the Rams: Wednesday, January 7 vs George Mason Patriots at 7 PM EST

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55