Missouri Tigers Marcus Denmon (12) drives past Texas Tech Red Raiders David Tairy for two points in the first half at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri on February 15, 2011. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
The Missouri Tigers beat the Texas Tech Red Raiders 92-84 at Mizzou Arena. Defense certainly eluded both teams as the Red Raiders shot 49% for the game and the Tigers went at a 58% clip.
Head coach Mike Anderson (video) said his team just didn’t have the normal tenacity on defense, but he said that will happen from time to time late in the season. He was happy with the way his team gutted out the win and he was more than happy to take it.
Marcus Denmon scored 20 points to lead the Tigers with 18 of them coming in the first half. With those 18 first half points, Denmon reached 1,000 for his career. In the second half, Tech head coach Pat Knight said his team shifted their defensive philosophy and keyed on slowing Denmon down.
The crowd enjoys the effort as Mizzou holds off Tech. (video)
Kim English finished with 16, Michael Dixon 13 and Laurence Bowers with 10.
Mike Anderson postgame comments (5:00)
The Tigers reached 20 wins and improved to 16-0 at home.