Despite the Oklahoma Sooners hitting just nine of 23 from the free throw line, it was their final miss of the night that led to a chance for OU to tie the game, but a three point attempt from Steven Pledger went off the side of the rim giving the fourth ranked Tigers a 71-68 win.
Romero Osby was fouled in the closing seconds and put on the free throw line with his team down by three. After missing his first attempt, Osby was forced to miss his last attempt. It came off the rim back towards him and was tipped out to the right wing where Pledger had an open look as time expired. It was a hard fought win for the Tigers, coming off their emotional win on Saturday against Kansas.
Mizzou shot 56% for the game, while OU shot 51% from the field. The Sooners poor free throw shooting at 39% clearly cost them the game.
Marcus Denmon continued his hot shooting in the first half, but cooled in the second as he finished with 25 points. Ricardo Ratliffe had a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds.
OU led most of the first half, but only led by as many as five. Missouri took a 36-33 halftime lead and built it up to seven in the opening minute of the second half when Denmon made three free throw attempts after getting fouled attempting a long range shot.
With 14:53 to go in the game, the Tigers increased their lead to double digits at 50-40, and kept the lead to at least five most of the way until Pledger’s three pointer with 3:37 left made it a two point Mizzou lead at 66-64.
Pledger, a 90% free throw shooter, made one of two to cut the Tiger lead to 68-66 with just over a minute to play, but Kim English nailed a three from the right corner with :59 left to give Mizzou a five point lead. It was English’s only three of the night as he finished with eight points.
The Tigers were outrebounded 31-18 and gave up 10 offensive boards to OU.
