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Missouri Tigers Top LSU In Overtime

By Ron Davis

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Two out of the last three games the Missouri Tigers have played, have come down to the final possession, and they fell short twice to Illinois and Oklahoma State.

In a game that featured heavy momentum shifts, it was Missouri who came out on top against an LSU team that was 11-2, who came to Mizzou Arena on an eight game winning steak 74-67 in overtime.

The Tigers were without stud freshman Teki Gill-Casear, who is second on the team in scoring with 11.5 ppg for the first time all year. Namon Wright started in his place and hit three three-pointers in the first half.

Mizzou did a good job of forcing LSU big men Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey in foul trouble, and that allowed Jonathan Williams III and recent surprise Keanau Post to be more aggressive, and the duo combined for 14 of the 27 points in the first half. LSU would lead 30-27 at halftime.

Jan 8, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers guard Wes Clark (15) dribbles the ball during overtime against the LSU Tigers at Mizzou Arena. The Missouri Tigers defeated the LSU Tigers 74-67. Mandatory Credit: Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports.

After scoring zero points in the first half, Wes Clark found two hot streaks at crucial times in the second half. The sophomore went down hard after a being fouled on a dunk attempt, but got back up and converted both of his free throws.

Clark then pulled down a rebound and dished a nice pass to Williams for an easy two, and followed by drilling a three to give Missouri their first lead since the first minute of the game.

The next six Missouri points came from Post, who was received great feeds from Clark and D’Angelo Allen. Trailing 44-43, LSU would go into full-court pressure to slow down Missouri and subsequently went on a 9-0 to give them a eight point adavantage with 8:50 to go.

Jan 8, 2015; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers forward Johnathan Williams III (3) goes for a basket over LSU Tigers forward Jarell Martin (1) and LSU Tigers guard Keith Hornsby (4) during overtime at Mizzou Arena. The Missouri Tigers defeated the LSU Tigers 74-67. Mandatory Credit: Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports

Mizzou would claw right back in it with three-pointers from Keith Shamburger and Tramaine Isabell. Down by just two, Clark found fire again by hitting a three and a jumper. Out of an LSU timeout, Clark hit a three with a hand in face to give the Tigers a four point lead.

The teams would trade baskets until the end of regulation. After Williams dropped a floater right through the hoop to make it 65-62 Missouri with 35 seconds to go, the Missouri Tigers played tough defense only for Keith Hornsby to tie the game at 65-all with ten seconds left to play.

Clark had a chance to win the game but his jumper was too strong as the Tigers went to overtime for the second time in three games.

Up by three with 45 seconds left, and not wanting a repeat of regulation, Missouri smothered the other Tigers only to give up a key offensive rebound. That allowed Hornsby to have another chance to be a hero and extend the game yet again.

But his heroics would not carry into overtime; his awfully deep three-pointer was off, and Shamburger would corral the miss and ice the game with two free throws. He and Williams were the only Missouri Tigers who scored in overtime and Mizzou walked away with a 74-67 victory in their SEC opener.

Free-throw shooting and defense often decide the winner in most basketball games. That couldn’t have been any truer in this contest.

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    • The Missouri Tigers forced several bad shots from LSU, and took care of the ball in the overtime period. Missouri only made one field goal, but made seven of nine from the charity stripe. LSU was two of five and only 13-23 for the game.

    Looking at how the end of regulation played out, it looked like Illinois and Oklahoma State all over again. They played tough the whole game, have a chance to hold on and steal a win against a quality opponent, only to have it slip through their fingers.

    Kim Anderson wouldn’t let that happen. His team toughened up even more in the bonus time. They needed to be tough; Teki Gill-Casear was already out, Clark got banged up midway through the second half, and Isabell went down in overtime.

    The young Tigers refused to give-in when things weren’t going their way.

    This win without a doubt is exactly what a young, growing team needs to continue progressing.

    After a wildly inconsistent non-conference slate, Missouri starts the calander year and SEC play 1-0. The Missouri Tigers will look to ride that momentum on Saturday when the travel to Auburn.

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