Nebraska Cornhuskers Ray Gallegos (R) comes over the top of Missouri Tigers Marcus Denmon to block a shot in the first half at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri on January 12, 2011. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
Marcus Denmon scored eight of Missouri’s first ten points as the Tigers jumped out to a 10-2 lead and never looked back in their 77-69 win over Nebraska, Wednesday night at Mizzou Arena in front of 11,358 on a bitterly cold night.
Mike Anderson’s postgame press conference
Denmon led all scorers with 27 points, including 14 in the first half on 5 of 8 shooting with a perfect 4 of 4 from three point range. Mizzou head coach Mike Anderson stressed better defense following the Tigers loss to Buffalo and MU held Nebraska under 40% for most of the night. NU finished shooting 42% for the game.
Husker’s head coach Doc Sadler was concerned, obviously with Denmon, but also the improved front court of Justin Safford, Laurence Bowers and Ricardo Ratliffe who combined for 28 points and 18 rebounds.
The Tigers kept their lead in that 8-10 point range most of the night, but Nebraska made a small run early into the 2nd half cutting the Tiger lead to 44-41 with 15:47 to play. The Tigers were able to build that lead back up to 55-45 with just over ten minutes to play.
Fouls plagued the Huskers as Andre Almeida picked up three first half fouls and Lance Jeter was called with four by the midway point of the second half and Brandon Richardson fouled out with 2:54 to play and seven points. Jeter would then foul out with 50.7 second left. Jeter finished with nine.
Both teams are 1-1 in Big 12 play as the Huskers saw their 11-game win streak come to an end.
