Phil Pressey scored a career-high 26 points, including 19 in the second half and Laurence Bowers added 16 to help No. 12 Missouri get by Bucknell 66-64 on Saturday at Mizzou Arena. The win gives the Tigers their seventh straight season with a home loss to a non-conference, extending the streak to 73 games.
Mike Muscala led the Bison with 25 points and 14 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season. Cameron Ayers added 13 points and Bryson Johnson scored 11.
Pressey made a career-high 10 field goals, and he scored seven consecutive points down the stretch. Bucknell’s plan was to make Pressey beat them with his shooting and not his passing and that defensive plan was evident. Pressey was held to no assists in the first half and only finished the game with five.
Mizzou struggled early, trailing 28-24 at the half, but Stefan Jankovic started the second half and hit a three pointer, plus a monster jam that gave the Tigers a shot in the arm they needed.
The Tigers open up SEC play on Tuesday against Alabama with a 6 p.m. tip at Mizzou Arena.
AUDIO Mizzou postgame with Bowers, Pressey and Frank Haith (14:00)