MIZZOU HALTS LOSING SKID

MU – TEXAS TECH RECAP

    The Missouri Tigers clawed out a much-needed win, 88-84, over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the nightcap of the Big XII tournament opening round.

    Despite limited help from Laurence Bowers and Ricardo Ratliffe, both hampered by foul trouble, Mizzou got unexpected contributions from Justin Safford and Kim English and the usual gutsy play from steady Marcus Denmon and scrappy Michael Dixon, Jr.

    The Red Raiders came out in a nasty mood and took the game to the Tigers early, perhaps seeking redemption for themselves and departing coach Pat Knight. But Tech lost some bench power when Robert Lewandowski crashed to the floor with just under 12 minutes to play in the first half. He didn't return, icing an injured shoulder on the pine.

    Bowers played only 4:15 in the first half, but Safford snapped out of his months-long funk to spark a Mizzou mini-run. Denmon's dunk snapped the crowd out of its lethargy at 6:45, with the Tigers down 31-34. Safford made two jumpers to put MU up 35-34, and Denmon's steal and layup made it 37-34; but David Tairu tied it with three free throws when Ratliffe hacked him beyond the arc. Tech then took its last lead, 39-37, when English waved a cape on John Roberson's slashing drive to the rim.

    Coming out for the second half, Missouri appeared to be on its way to a blowout, scoring eight straight points to take 56-44 lead and forcing Knight to take a timeout at the 18:30 mark. The Tigers still led 60-49 with just under 16 minutes before Tech went on 14-3 run to tie the game four minutes later.

    Over the next 10 minutes, Missouri built the lead back to 11 (80-69); but the Red Raiders, who lived at the free throw line (31 for 36), mounted another charge, pulling to within six points at the three minute mark at which point the Tigers tried to burn the clock. That tactic backfired with shot clock violations and sloppy turnovers, and Tech closed to within a bucket, 84-82, at 1:54. John Roberson, who finished with 28, nailed two free throws with 48.3 seconds to make it 86-84, Mizzou. After Dixon made one of two free throws with 18 seconds left, Roberson missed a driving layup that Bowers corralled and passed to Denmon who was fouled with 1.7 seconds left. He made one of two from the charity stripe to seal the victory that snapped MU's 3-game losing streak. Missouri hit 19 of 23 charity shots.

    With the win, Missouri moves into Thursday night's semifinals with a chance to avenge a road loss to Texas A&M and to make a good impression on the NCAA selection committee.