The Missouri Tigers battled back from a 32-18 halftime deficit to tie the game at 51 late in Lincoln, but fall in the Big 12 opener for Mizzou and Nebraska losing 56-51.
I said this would be the toughest defensive challenge the Tigers would face all year and the Huskers were tough, especially in the first half. They forced 12 Missouri turnovers and held MU to 18 points in the first half.
Ade Dungadaro provided a big lift scoring a career high 20 points who came out and played with energy. Despite Mizzou’s size advantage, the Huskers kept DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons relatively quiet. The two combined for just 19 points on 5 of 13 shooting for the game.
Trailing 42-29, Missouri scored seven straight points to cut the lead to six with just over 12 minutes to play. Mizzou fought back after the Huskers went scoreless for 6:06 as the Tigers cut a 15 point deficit to five.
Both teams went cold for a couple of minutes, but after free throws, JT Tiller closed the gap to 48-47 and then tied the game with a jumper at 50. Henry put NU back up with 47.3 seconds left and got the ball back after a Mizzou miss.
The Tigers lacked effort and got out hustled in the first half and when they were open, couldn’t get any shots to fall their way, shooting a miserable 32% in the first half. They would finish at 38% for the game.
Following Dungadaro’s 20 was Sek Henry who scored 13.
The Huskers built the lead to 18 in the second half, but the Tigers slowly chipped away and tied the game late in the second half and four times came down the floor with a chance to take the lead but couldn’t.
Nebraska also held a huge advantage at the free throw line, shooting 18 of 25 for 72% while the Tigers struggled just 10 of 18 for 56%. Mizzou was held to their lowest scoring output of the year.
Game stats.
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