Missouri Tigers Kim English and Ricardo Ratliffe defend against Baylor Bears Stargell Love (20) in the second half. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

Missouri men’s basketball coach Mike Anderson said this may have been his team’s best effort and most complete game of the season as the 20th ranked Tigers beat Baylor 77-59.

The Tigers had a big first half on several different levels.  First, they held Baylor to just nine field goals and 30% shooting.  LaceDarius Dunn, the Big 12’s leading scorer with 20.8 points per game was shutout in the first half.  The Tigers had at one point a 2-to-1 advantage in rebounding as Mizzou jumped out to a 33-20 lead at the break.

Mizzou never looked back as the lead grew to 21 late in the game.  Dunn was held to just 12 points on 4 of 14 shooting and the Tigers outrebounded the long Bears 36-34.

Ricardo Ratliffe was huge on the boards finishing with 13 to go along with 11 points.  Laurence Bowers just missed a double-double with 9 rebounds and 20 points.  Kim English scored 16 and Marcus Denmon 13 to round out the Tigers in double figures.

Mizzou improves to 22-6, 8-5.