Filed under: Illinois, Big 12, Big Ten, Missouri
If anything, the Missouri Tigers are quite adept at playing an exceptionally exciting brand of basketball. Oh, and winning games they could just as easily lose, as they did Wednesday night in St. Louis, outlasting No. 21 Illinois 75-64.Michael Dixon, long second-fiddle to Marcus Denmon, attempted to steal the show late. His two buckets in the final minutes gave Mizzou the lead, and a Denmon steal and assist appeared to seal the deal. However, a Missouri turnover immediately followed by an Illinois lead cut the Tigers' lead to one. Then, on the ensuing inbound, Laurence Bowers leaked out for a layup and was intentionally fouled, which, then, sealed the game.
The neutral site provided a wonderfully divided and electric atmosphere, and both teams were clearly driven by the raucous crowd in what is known as Braggin' Rights to the locals.
Illinois (10-3) sprinted to an early 23-15 lead, but Missouri (11-1) was able to pull even by halftime. When the Tigers jumped out to a 7-2 second half run -- quickly, of course -- it appeared to rock the Illini significantly. It did not, and that was really only the beginning.
Illinois, led by Demetri McCamey and Mike Davis, was able to combat the athleticism of the Mizzou backcourt to retake the lead. The Tigers fought back led by a host of speedy guards -- Denmon, Kim English and Dixon -- who were as frenetic as ever.
It went on like this for quite some time.
There were seven second-half lead changes, and, until the final minute, neither team led by more than five points. A late D.J. Richardson three pulled Illinois within one, but Missouri then scored eight straight -- mostly from the line -- to end it.
Denmon led No. 9 Missouri with 15 points.
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