COLUMBIA, Mo. – Despite hanging tough at Missouri Wednesday night and holding a first half lead, it was ultimately a late first half and early second half run that propelled the Tigers past the Eagles 70-52 at Mizzou Arena.
Missouri (4-1) ended the first half on a 9-0 run in the final 3:41, then outscored the Eagles 8-2 in the first four-minute span of the final 20 minutes to push ahead for good to hand MSU (4-1) its first setback of 2019-20.
Freshman forward Tyzhaun Claude posted his second career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while senior guard Jordan Walkercollected his 59th career double figure effort with 14 points and moved into 25th place in career scoring in program history. It was also Claude’s third double-digit rebounding performance in his first five games.
Morehead State held Missouri to only 4-of-22 from beyond the three-point arc (Missouri made its first two of each half and missed all other attempts), but the Tigers owned a 45-28 rebounding edge.
Morehead State continues play in the Hall of Fame Classic Friday at Butler. Game time is 7 p.m. ET.
KEY MOMENTS
– Walkers’ first triple tied the game at three-all just 35 seconds in, but Missouri went on to score the next 11 points to lead 14-3 with 14:53 left in the half.
– MSU fought back and eventually took a 20-19 lead when senior guard Djimon Henson drained a three-pointer with 7:53 left in the half.
– Two charity tosses from Claude pushed MSU ahead 29-27 with 1:44 remaining in the half, but two missed buckets and two turnovers led to nine straight points by the Tigers.
– The Eagles misfired on their first four shots in the second half.
– MSU had the game within eight (56-48) after junior forward James Baker’s three-ball with 6:35 left.
– Missouri held the Eagles to only two field goals in the final 6:35.
KEY STATS
– Thomas, who ranks third in the nation in total steals, swiped four more tonight to give him 19 steals in five games.
– Morehead State was limited to only six offensive rebounds.
– Missouri hit 20-of-23 free throws compared to 9-of-16 for the Eagles.
– Mark Smith led Missouri with 21 points.
– MSU held Missouri to 40 percent shooting for the game.
QUOTING COACH SPRADLIN
“I thought we played extremely hard. This was a game we can get better from. I felt we played well defensively, turning them over 17 times. Their defense was just really disruptive to us. We have shown how can build off of a win, now we just need to show how can build off a loss too.”
