Sophomore Wes Clark left the game in the second half with an elbow injury (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Sophomore Wes Clark left the game in the second half with an elbow injury (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

The Missouri Tigers, already shorthanded with suspensions, will be without starting point guards Wes Clark after a gruesome injury on Tuesday night in South Carolina.  Again, head coach Kim Anderson loved the effort, but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers lost 65-60 to the Gamecocks.

The Tigers have lost ten in a row, now two games in last place in the SEC and are assured a losing conference record for only the third time in the past 18 seasons. It’s the program’s longest losing streak since 12 straight losses in the 1966-67 season when they finished 3-21.

Sindarius Thornwell scored a game-high 14 points to lead Carolina which dominated the Tigers on the offensive glass, pulling down 18 rebounds on the offensive end.  The Tigers also turned the ball over 15 times.  After starting the game by hitting just 2 of their first 11 shots, and finding themselves down 12-2, the Tigers rallied to tie the game at 30-30 at the half.  Keith Shamburger scored eight of his 13 to help get the Tigers back to 14-12.

In the second half, Anderson wouldn’t blame it on fatigued, but the Tigers just couldn’t get over the hump.  Mizzou led 34-32 when Carolina went on a eight-run spurt.  Shamburger delivered another three to close to within 40-37, but Thornwell hit a three, then off a Jakeenan Gant turnover, scored on a layup to shoot the lead back up to 48-40.

Gant got the Tigers back to three with a dunk with just under three minutes to play to make it a 54-51 game, but Thornwell hit another three to kill the rally.

Finishing the game with just seven players, the Tigers shot 42% including 7 for 14 from three point range.  Shamburger led four Tigers with double figures.

A scene in the second half that left players on the court visibly shake and fans in stunned silence.  As sophomore Wes Clark dove for a loose ball, a Carolina player landed on his arm.  Carolina coach Frank Martin was the first person on the court and motioned for Anderson to come over.  Clark’s elbow was bent at a grotesque angle. Clark’s screams could be heard around the arena.

Martin on Clark’s injury

An air cast was put on his arm immediately. Anderson said the team waited until Clark had x-rays.