Truman's Tales
Fansided

Missouri Tigers Fall To Illinois For Braggin’ Rights, 62-59

By Ron Davis

facebooktwitterreddit

The Missouri Tigers and Illinois Fighting Illini have played to yet another classic basketball game. In the end, it was the Tigers who fell in a close one, 62-59.

Wes Clark hit a huge jumpshot with 17.8 seconds left to tie the game at 59-59, and it looked as if this classic, back-and-forth matchup would continue into overtime. Not wanting Missouri to have another possession, Rayvonte Rice took the ball and waited for the last shot.

Dec 20, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Rayvonte Rice (24) attempts a lay up against the Missouri Tigers during the second half at Scottrade Center. The Illinois Fighting Illini defeat the Missouri Tigers 62-59. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

With seconds winding down, Rice stepped back and launched a three-pointer over the outstretched arms of both Johnathan Williams III and Keith Shamburger. Rice’s shot was drilled through the back of the rim and his teammates all ran out and dogpiled on the senior to celebrate his game-winning shot.

Mizzou dropped to 5-6 on the year, but there is a lot to be pleased about despite the loss.

The Tigers were a 9.5 point underdog to the Illini, now a 9-3 team, and not for one minute of the game did Mizzou looked outmatched. In fact, there was a lot of hope that they could actually win.

For the first time all season Mizzou put together a complete game, but still fell. They didn’t lose because of failing to get back on defense or not knowing “who-has-who”, they lost because Rice could not be stopped in the final seven minutes.

In the first half, Mizzou came out looking poised and confident. Teki Gill-Casear had the challenge of defending Rice to start the game, and did a good job as Rice only had six points. Jakeenan Gant only had seven points, but five of them came in the first half. He and D’Angelo Allen came off the bench and gave the Tigers a spark.

Both teams traded 5-0 runs with the half winding down. Mizzou looked to go into the locker room up 30-29 but Ahmad Starks hit a three with a few seconds remaning to give a 32-29 halftime lead to Illinois.

Dec 20, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Wes Clark (15) shoots over the defense of Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kendrick Nunn (25) during the second half at Scottrade Center. The Illinois Fighting Illini defeat the Missouri Tigers 62-59. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois lead 47-45 with 8:12 left in the game, but Allen quickly turned the game in the Tigers’ favor. He, uncharacteristically, hit one of his two three pointers and dished a nice pass to Williams to put the Tigers up by 3. The momentum was all taken back by Rice when, after Mizzou played a full 35 seconds of tough defense, hit a three from way behind the arc to tie the game again.

The teams would play great defense down the stretch as only one field goal, with the exception of Rice’s game-winner, was made in the final 3:12. Down by two, Missouri forced a bad shot by Starks, only for Rice to snatch up the rebound. Though he would miss the shot on the ensuing possession, he only allowed the Tigers one more possession.

Magic happened afterward. Clark makes the jumper, and Rice makes an incredible three to avoid overtime at the buzzer. This game will be considered one of the classics in this 34 year rivalry.

Live Feed

2023 Week 4 AP Poll Top 25: Every SEC team’s highest, lowest spot on ballot
2023 Week 4 AP Poll Top 25: Every SEC team’s highest, lowest spot on ballot /

South Bound & Down

  • SEC Football: Florida, LSU rise in Week 4 2023 power rankingsSouth Bound & Down
  • Biggest winners and losers from College Football Week 3Saturday Blitz
  • Kansas State football: 3 takeaways from road loss to MissouriSaturday Blitz
  • Projected college football rankings after Missouri upsets Kansas State, Florida State escapesFanSided
  • Missouri football upsets Kansas State thanks to miracle 61-yard field goalSaturday Blitz

    • Though it’s going to be overshadowed outside of Columbia; a lot of these Mizzou players showed what they’re really capable of. Williams had 15 points and 8 rebounds and looked like a monster throughout the game.

    Clark started for the first time since the Maui Tournament and made big shots and finished with 11. The younger guys like Gant (7 points) and Allen (8 points) established themselves as high-energy players and will only continue to grow.

    Kim Anderson has to be pleased with his teams’ effort today, and will look to build on that December 30th when they travel to Kansas City for a neutral-site matchup with old Big 12 foe Oklahoma State.

    More from Truman's Tales

    Home/Basketball