Missouri Tigers Suffer Another Devastating Road Loss
By Adam Simone
Feb 16, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard BJ Young (11) keeps control of the ball as Missouri Tigers guard Earnest Ross (33) attempts to steal during a game at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Missouri 73-71. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
The Missouri Tigers (18-7, 7-5) have struggled all year away from Mizzou Arena, especially in the final minutes of games, and Saturday was no different. Mizzou held a 70-66 lead with 34 seconds left, but they could not stop Arkansas (16-9, 7-5) guard B.J. Young in the final half minute.
On consecutive possessions, Young drove to the basket and converted on a 3-point play. The second 3-point play gave the Razorbacks a 72-71 lead with 19 seconds left. Young finished the game with 18 points and 5 assists.
Phil Pressey then turned the ball over with 11 seconds left and Jabari Brown missed a 3-point shot with 1 second left as Arkansas held on for the 73-71 victory.
The Tigers drop to 4-7 away from Columbia, and 1-6 in true road games. Mizzou blew a final minute lead in three of those games.
Feb 16, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Keion Bell (5) drives past Arkansas Razorbacks guard Mardracus Wade (1) during a game at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Missouri 73-71. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
Keion Bell continues to be a bright spot for Mizzou. Bell scored a season high 25 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the loss. Unfortunately, Bell fouled out with 19 seconds left and was unavailable on Missouri’s final two possessions.
Bell has been very aggressive on both ends of the court over the last five games. He has averaged 21.2 points and 5 rebounds over that time period. His success mixed with Pressey’s struggles has many fans begging for Bell to take over at the point guard position.
Pressey and Laurence Bowers were the two players on the Tiger’s roster that played under Mike Anderson while he was at Missouri. Both Pressey and Bowers struggled on Saturday combining to shoot 3-19 with only 11 points.
Things do not get easier for Missouri this week. On Tuesday, the Tigers will host No. 7 Florida and on Saturday, they travel to Kentucky.