University of Missouri
Xavier
Missouri Edged By Xavier in Puerto Rico
11/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 20, 2008
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - Despite dominating the statistic sheets, free throws poor free throw shooting proved to be too much for Missouri to overcome on Thursday afternoon, as the Tigers dropped a 75-71 decision to Xavier in San Juan, P.R.
The Tigers shot just 15-of-31 from the foul line and a dismal 7-of-20 from the stripe in the second half in the four-point defeat. DeMarre Carroll led Missouri with 17 points, but hit just 3-of-7 foul shots, while Leo Lyons added 15 points, but managed just 5-of-10 free throw shooting on the afternoon.
J.T. Tiller starred for Missouri before fouling out. The Marietta, Ga., native scored a season high 13 points, added five assists, five rebounds and tied a Puerto Rico Tip-Off record with six steals on the game. Overall Missouri had 16 steals and forced Xavier into 22 turnovers. The Tigers also did an excellent job of protecting the basketball, turning it over just seven times despite their frantic style of play.
“It came down to one thing, free throws,” Head Coach Mike Anderson said. “It was pretty plain and simple today, free throws decided this game. I thought we did some great things. We forced turnovers. We protected the basketball, but if you don't make free throws, you aren't going to win many games.”
The two clubs exchanged eight leads and were tied 12 times on the day. Missouri trailed 35-32 at the half, but came out strong in the second period, extending its lead to as many as seven in the final 20 minutes. Foul trouble plagued Mizzou in the second period, as Tiller fouled out with 4:21 remaining and Carroll and Lyons played with four fouls.
“It was tough sitting there in the final few minutes,” Tiller said. “I wanted to be out there so bad with my teammates. It was a tough finish, a tough way to get beat, but if we take something away from this and get better, it could pay some benefits down the road.”
Missouri will take on Fairfield Friday morning at 10 a.m. (central time). Fairfield lost to Virginia Tech in its tournament opener Thursday morning by a 74-57 score.
