For the first time since 2003 and the third time in Big 12 history, the Missouri Tigers will play for the Big 12 Tournament title after defeating Oklahoma State 67-59. The Tigers will play Baylor who knocked off Texas earlier.
This was a game of missed opportunities. It certainly wasn’t the most efficient shooting night for either team, especially from outside the three point line. Missouri made just 6 of 31 and Oklahoma State missed their first 16 three point attempts and finished just 4 of 24.
The key for Missouri tonight was getting Oklahoma State into early foul trouble. Guard James Anderson, who finished with 20 points had four fouls and sat out during a key stretch of the game in the second half. Byron Eaton finished with four fouls and just four points as he was out a good portion of the first half after injuring his leg. He was not the same in the second half.
OSU hunkered down into a tight 2-3 zone most of the night after realizing Mizzou was struggling with their outside shooting. The Tigers were unable to get many points inside the paint and couldn’t get many open looks to drop.
Neither could the Cowboys and I thought the Tigers did a good job of playing tough defense of their own and keeping the game close. OSU was up 19-12 with just over seven minutes to play in the first half when Mizzou closed it to 19-17 thanks to a Zaire Taylor steal and a three pointer after a JT Tiller layup.
It was Taylor’s night to step up for Mike Anderson. He finished with a Mizzou career high 18 points. The junior guard also added two rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a blocked shot.
OSU went on to close the half up 23-21 despite playing without Eaton and Terrell Harris and Anderson playing with three fouls.
I thought the turning point in the game came with 13:23 to play and Missouri down 38-35. The Tigers were not driving to the net at all and freshmen Kim English subbed in and took it hard to Anderson who picked up his fourth foul. The Cowboys’ leading scorer needed to sit and the Tigers went on a 10-1 run to open up a 45-39 lead with just over 10 minutes to play. The closest OSU would get from there would be two with 6:14 left, but they could never catch Missouri from that point on.
