17-0 second half run too much for Mizzou to handle. Tigers lose at home to Georgia

Terrence Phillips muscles his way past a Georgia defender as Kim Anderson looks on (photo/Mizzou Athletics)

Mizzou held a one point lead in the second half before Georgia went a 17-0 run and then held off the Tigers in a 60-57 final Wednesday night at Mizzou Arena.

Georgia missed its first seven shots and Missouri jumped out to a 5-0 lead, in what would be its biggest of the night. The Bulldogs shot 10 of 32 from the field in the first half, including 1 of 9 from three point range, while the Tigers started the game hitting 4 of 7, only to finish the half 4 of 17.

Despite that 17-0 run that Mizzou allowed in the second half, coach Kim Anderson felt the game was lost in the first half.  The Tigers had opportunities to build a lead and make Georgia “play from behind,” but instead played to a 22-22 tie at the break.

Wes Clark was on the bench for much of the first half after picking up two quick fouls and didn’t score until early in the second.

The Tigers went on a 19-6 run after Georgia’s big push and Mizzou was down 56-53 and guarding well in the final minute.  The Tigers forced the shot clock down to under ten seconds, when D’Angelo Allen was called for a foul 25 feet away from the basket.

J.J. Frazier made two free throws to put Georgia up five with 26 seconds to play.

Terrence Phillips and Namon Wright led the Tigers with 12 points.  Kevin Puryear had ten points and seven rebounds.

Yante Maten led the Bulldogs with 21 points and 12 rebounds. He was a force on both ends of the court, shooting 10 of 21 from the field and blocking six shots, which tied a career high.