The Missouri Tigers looked rusty through a majority of the first half, but got rolling early in the second in route to a 96-76 win last night over UMKC. The Tigers got off to a hot start shooting 50% from the three point line the first 14 minutes into the game to open up a 10 point lead 29-19. Marshall Brown, off the bench led the Tigers with 7 points in the first half. Then things went cold as UMKC battled back in the last six minutes of the half going on a 16-6 run to tie the game at 35 at the break. Dane Brumagin from Montgomery City had the hot hand for the Kangaroos in the first half hitting four of seven three pointers to lead all scorers at the half with 14.
In the second half, head coach Mike Anderson must have had a few choice words for his Tigers. They opened up the half with an 9-0 run and a 22-6 run just four minutes in. DeMarre Carroll who had six points at the half, scored eight in that opening burst as Missouri’s intensity was turned up as the Tigers jumped to a 57-41 lead. Carroll finished with 16 points. Leo Lyons who had just three points in the first half exploded to lead the Tigers with 22 on 10 of 12 shooting.
The play of the game came with less than four minutes, when Leo Lyons came up with a steal and pushed the ball ahead to DeMarre Carroll. The ball was thrown a bit too far, but Carroll saved it from going out of bounds with a no look pass to Stefhon Hannah who had the easy layup. While that was happening, Carroll ended up head over heels in the second row behind the basket. A perfect example of the hustle the Tigers showed in the second half.
Missouri non conference winning streak at home reached 27 with the win. Big 12 plays opens Saturday afternoon at 12:30 when Mizzou hosts nationally ranked Texas. Listen to Head Coach Mike Anderson post game conference by clicking on the link.
Download/listen to Mike Anderson (mp3)
