Missouri
Three Takeaways From Missouri’s Frustrating Loss to Memphis
At halftime, the Missouri Tigers looked like they had the game out of reach.
The bench production was clicking on all levels, the Tigers were forcing turnovers out of its zone defense and were running in transition, seemingly developing the start of an identity for this newly molded-together team. That quickly fell apart in the second half as Memphis did the same thing to them, with Missouri not having any answers on either side of the floor.
When you lead by 10 points at halftime, it’s a reasonable claim to expect to win. It’s not as if Missouri walked out in the second half relaxed because they had a lead, but everything in the first half pointed to them running away with it. Memphis matched their intensity on defense and began to force turnovers and bad shot attempts while getting star guard PJ Haggerty into transition. The flipping of the game plan on Missouri eventually resulted in the loss.
That being said, here are three takeaways from Missouri’s game-one defeat.
The Tigers brought out a fascinating starting lineup, one that did not feature transfer guards Tony Perkins and Marques Warrick. The first player off the bench was Perkins, who did not necessarily give the Tigers the production head coach Dennis Gates would have liked.
In the first half, sophomore forward Trent Pierce looked amazing, seemingly out of nowhere. He hit two threes in his first-half showing and finished with ten points in the half and 13 overall as the team’s second-leading scorer. Forward Aidan Shaw also made his presence felt, finishing with nine first-half points, all of which were momentum-building scores. Pierce and Shaw were the two biggest surprises off the bench, giving the Tigers much-needed scoring.
Though Perkins did not start, he gave Missouri a quality 21 minutes, a number that could likely ramp up and turn into a starting role. His four assists were the most helpful, primarily playing the point guard role when he was on the floor. He grabbed one steal and a block as well on the defensive end of the court.
The Tigers’ two-three zone defense clearly gave the Tigers the most effective results on the defensive side of the ball. Even when Memphis was hitting threes in the second half, many came in scramble situations.
Starting the half, forcing Memphis to score from the perimeter wasn’t a bad idea. They shot only 4-for-14 in that period and could not manage to put points on the board to close the gap with Missouri. The attempts Memphis was getting at that time were not comfortable ones either, many of which were contested or coming from a bad pass.
For some odd reason, the Tigers backed out of its zone when Memphis went on its run midway through the second half. They were getting to the free-throw line easily and had Missouri in foul trouble within five minutes of the start of the second period.
One thing was made evident in the solid first half from Missouri: the zone defense worked. Everyone was flying around and forcing steals and deflections and it allowed the Tigers to get out and run in transition. Zone defenses aren’t always sustainable for a whole game and can slow down the pace, but if it works, it works.
It looked like Gates and the Tigers had its rotation figured out in the first half. They were getting out in transition with Pierce and Anthony Robinson II, a surprising but effective decision. Pierce scored 10 points in the first half, knocking down two triples, a take at the rim and a massive fast break dunk. Nobody expected Robinson to play the minutes he did and the explosiveness from Pierce, as well as the lack of production from transfer forward Mark Mitchell, but what the Tigers put on the floor in the first half clearly worked.
That will be the over-arching theme the Tigers take away from the loss, being the first-half success. Gates saw firsthand five-man units that worked well together on both sides of the ball, even if that meant people were not getting in the game at all.
Gates sacrificed the playing time of star guard Tamar Bates in the first half because Robinson and company were clicking in multiple ways. Pierce and Shaw, who excelled in the first half, saw the floor in the following period for only five minutes each. Gates attributed that to the need for ball-handlers on the floor, but the length, defense and surprising offensive production both provided would have also been of assistance.
It is still very early in the season, and Gates and the staff are trying to find what works the best. Last season, Gates was not afraid to completely empty his bench for answers. Some consistency in that department might aid in team success, but for right now, it’s evident he is still searching.
Everything Dennis Gates Said Following Missouri’s Loss to Memphis
Dennis Gates Explains Quiet Second Halves for Shaw, Pierce in Mizzou’s Debut
Familiar Struggles Creep Up in Mizzou’s Season-Opening Loss to Memphis
Missouri
1 dead after rollover crash Friday evening in Kansas City, Missouri
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One person died in a rollover crash Friday evening in Kansas City, Missouri, on Missouri 152 Highway near North Indiana Avenue.
The victim, whose identity has not been released, was alone in the vehicle, police said.
The crash happened at 5:35 p.m.
No word on what led to the crash.
—
Missouri
Missouri Secretary of State admits to misleading ballot language for gerrymander referendum
An attorney representing Missouri’s top election official admitted in court Friday that her client had authored ballot language that could “prejudice” voters about a referendum to block the GOP’s new gerrymandered congressional map.
The state constitution gives Missourians the right to veto new state laws by holding a statewide referendum vote. Since Missouri Republicans passed mid-decade redistricting in September, voters have been fighting to put it to a referendum. But the Republican Party – including Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins – are throwing every possible hurdle in its path.
That apparently includes ballot language.
In November, People Not Politicians, the group leading the referendum effort, filed a lawsuit challenging what it termed the “dishonest” text Hoskins had approved.
The court could take over the task of writing the ballot language if Hoskins fails to provide an acceptable version after three tries. A bench trial is scheduled for Feb. 9.
Missouri law requires the secretary of state’s ballot language to be a “true and impartial statement” that isn’t “intentionally argumentative” or “likely to create prejudice either for or against the proposed measure.”
At a hearing Friday, Hoskins’ attorney admitted the ballot summary was likely to create prejudice against the referendum, according to People Not Politicians. She also said the language would be revised in negotiations with the referendum organizers, the Missouri Independent reported.
Now, the state will get “another bite at the apple” to write new language, Chuck Hatfield, an attorney representing People Not Politicians, told Democracy Docket.
“Rather than losing in court, today the Secretary of State simply admitted that he broke the law and sought to deceive Missouri voters,” Richard von Glahn, executive director of People Not Politicians, said in a statement. “While warranted, this admittance does little to alleviate our concerns that a subsequent summary prepared by him will be any more accurate. Missourians deserve the truth about their rights and the referendum.”
According to court filings, the official certified ballot language reads: “Do the people of the state of Missouri approve the act of the General Assembly entitled ‘House Bill No. 1 (2025 Second Extraordinary Session),’ which repeals Missouri’s existing gerrymandered congressional plan that protects incumbent politicians, and replaces it with new congressional boundaries that keep more cities and counties intact, are more compact, and better reflects statewide voting patterns?”
In addition to the misleading ballot language, Republicans have devised relentless obstacles for referendum supporters, including trying to decline certifying the petition on holding a referendum for being filed too soon, reject signatures for being collected too soon, block the petition from moving forward and intimidate referendum supporters.
Hoskins is also insisting on enacting the new map before voters can hold the referendum, breaking with Missouri precedent.
Missouri
Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
Midday: 3-5-3
Midday Wild: 9
Evening: 6-3-9
Evening Wild: 3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
Midday: 7-1-3-4
Midday Wild: 4
Evening: 9-6-9-8
Evening Wild: 9
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash4Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
27-28-39-47-58, Cash Ball: 04
Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
Early Bird: 14
Morning: 07
Matinee: 06
Prime Time: 07
Night Owl: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Jan. 8 drawing
02-26-28-29-34
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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