The Mizzou Arena saw some tremendous action on Wednesday night as The Missouri Tigers took an 81-61 win over the Lindenwood Lions. However, the Tigers couldn’t enjoy it to the fullest as their leading scorer, Caleb Grill met with a sudden head and neck injury during the first half of the game.

The incident occured when Grill was challenging a rebound. Just when his head was pulled backwards by Lindenwood forward Jaylon McDaniel. He reached back to hold the back of his neck and went to the floor immediately after that.

For around 10 minutes, he received treatment from the Missouri trainers. Similarly, the Tigers head coach Dennis Gates spent several minutes beside Grill while he was down on the court. He was taken out on a stretcher to a local hospital as a precaution. However, as he was being carried by the medical staff, Grill did give a thumbs up from the stretcher.

In the post-game, Gates did provide an update on the Missouri Tiger’s situation and said, “We’re awaiting results of a CT scan,” and added, “Whenever you have a head or neck injury, you want to be (cautious) and have some caution with that. And that’s what that was all about: Making sure that he was OK. He was responsive, talking the entire time when I was down there in the huddle with him. He even rolled out with his thumb up. So, that was a good sign to see in that respect.”

Apart from this, the Tigers held the first quite well during Grill’s absence.

More about the game

Tony Perkins scored 18 points, to which Marques Warrick added 17 points to the total score. Similarly, Trent Pierce posted 12 points. Since they faced a season-opening loss to Memphis, the Missouri Tigers have won six straight games.

“Well, at the end of the day, our guys are veterans and they stuck together. They did exactly what I thought they would do. They rallied around,” Coach Gates praised the Tigers, who claimed victory despite the sudden adversity.

The Tigers could make only 5-of-22 from beyond the arc, however, they had 46-25 rebounding advantage. Caleb Grill is playing is second season with the Tigers and his sixth overall while averaging 13.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.

Although he is responsive, Caleb Grill’s injury does put the Tigers in a tough sport, as head and neck injuries can take their own sweet time. As a result, the other Tigers would now have to step up to match his level of scoring and playmaking to compete through the season.