Missouri hoops: Slow start, quick comeback, then blown out
Missouri hoops gave itself a chance to win the game by getting back into it late in the first half. That chance ended minutes into the second half.
It was a fun final eight minutes of the first half for Missouri hoops. But that was it.
Behind by 14, the Tigers finished the first half with a huge run to cut the game to within one point. That was as close as Mizzou would get as West Virginia took control of the game on its way to a 74-51 victory against the Tigers on Saturday at WVU Coliseum.
Missouri hoops (9-10) now is on a four-game losing streak that has lasted two weeks. The Mountaineers picked up the Big 12/SEC Challenge win to improve to 16-3 on the year. They are undefeated at home at 10-0.
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Mizzou was behind 20-6 in the first 12 minutes but finished the half on a nice 17-4 run to mark the score 24-23 at halftime. The Mountaineers were frustrated coming out of halftime and picked up three quick fouls against Mizzou.
But the Tigers never took advantage of their opportunity, and behind only one point, Mizzou never could take the lead and gave control right back to West Virginia early on. The Mountaineers went on their own run to start the second frame, and Missouri went from down one point to down 22 points nearly halfway through the second period.
That spurt was aided by WVU rebounds, both defensive and offensive, and missed open shots, especially from the 3-point line, by the Tigers. The Mountaineers out-rebounded Missouri 50-30 in the game, and Missouri finished 7 of 26 from the 3-point line.
Torrence Watson by far had the best game for Missouri. His 19 points was a team high, and he finished 6 of 13 from the field. Missouri’s starting five finished with just 14 points.
The Tigers return home Tuesday to play Georgia, which did not take part in the conference challenge this weekend.