Tiger head coach Mike Anderson got a standing ovation as he entered Mizzou Arena, the fans showing their support for Anderson’s decision to suspend five players for violating team rules. Mizzou played just seven players but battled the entire game, but came up short 66-62.
The Tigers had to leave some in the tank for the second half with only eight players dressed for the game and Mike Anderson only rotating in seven. The Tigers played a lot of 2-3 zone and lay off the press defense. As expected the Huskers pounded the ball inside to 6’11 center Aleks Maric as he hit 5 of 7 inside for 11 points. When the Tigers collapsed inside the Huskers went outside with guard Sek Henry scoring 12 on 4 of 6 three point shooting.
JT Tiller, getting the start for Stefhon Hannah led the Tigers with 10 points. Mizzou down by nine, went on a 7-0 run to end the half trailing 32-30 at the half. DeMarre Carroll, needing to step up with Leo Lyons and Darryl Butterfield suspended grabbed 9 rebounds in the first half.
At halftime, the Cotton Bowl champion football team was honored at center court. Tony Temple received his most valuable offensive player trophy and William Moore picked up his most valuable defensive player award.
The Huskers jumped out to a 36-30 lead, but Carroll then scored on back to back possessions early in the 2 nd half to tie the game at 36, one on a nice give and go with JT Tiller, the other backing down on Maric.
Maric went to the bench with four fouls with 12:07 to play after Vaidotas Volkus converted a three point play to pull Mizzou back to one. Volkus would help spark the Tigers by scoring 12 points in the game. Matt Lawrence had a chance to give Mizzou the lead, but missed a ten-footer in transition. Sek Henry got a tip-in the other way to put the Huskers up 47-44 with 11:17 left. That’s as close as Missouri would get as Nebraska tightened up their half court defense until Matt Lawrence tied it up at 58 on a layup with 3:34 to play. The Huskers would regain the lead at 60-58 on their next possession, but with 2:20 to play in the game, Carroll drew an offensive foul from Maric and he left the game fouling out with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Volkus would tie the game at 60, only to have Husker guard Steve Harley tie the game up again with a hand in his face. Mizzou missed their next time down and Nebraska had the ball with 48.6 seconds left. After a Husker miss, Ryan Anderson stole a Mizzou outlet pass and dunked with 15 seconds left to ice the game for Nebraska who picks up their first Big 12 win of the season. Mizzou falls to 2-4 in the Big 12. Mizzou will play K-State at home on Saturday, who is undefeated in Big 12 play following their win over unbeaten Kansas.
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