University of Missouri
5-5
Xavier
8-2
Mizzou Drops Tough Contest to Xavier, 74-58
12/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Columbia, Mo. - Mizzou Men's Basketball fell to 5-5 on the season, with a 74-58 loss at the hands of the Xavier Musketeers on Saturday (Dec. 13). An impressive showing from talented freshman, Jakeenan Gant, who saw his first action of the season, highlighted the Tigers' performance. Sophomore Johnathan Williams, III led all Missouri scorers with 17 points. In all, nine Tigers reached the score sheet on the night, marking the fifth time this season that nine or more players have gotten on the board in the same game.
Missouri fell behind early due in part to a staunch defensive effort from the Musketeers, who allowed the Tigers to hit just one of their first 10 field goal attempts. Gant provided a spark for the Tigers when he checked into the game halfway through the first period. The forward from Springfield, Ga., entered the game with the Tigers trailing 20-7, and quickly equaled the Missouri scoring total on a jumper, a 3-point make, and two free throws. Gant recorded seven points, one rebound and one block in just five minutes of playing time in the first half. He finished the night with 13 points.
Gant was not the only solid contributor off the bench for the Tigers, as D'Angelo Allen also played a critical role in Mizzou's comeback attempt. The freshman forward came off the bench in the final minutes of the first half, and recorded six straight points and a steal for the Tigers in just a five-minute period. Gant and Allen led the Tigers on a 20-12 run to close the half. Mizzou entered halftime trailing just 32-27.
Out of the break, the Tigers netted two quick baskets to draw the game within just one point, 32-31. Williams III led the way for the Tigers in the second half, as he recorded six points and five rebounds in the first eight minutes of the period. Williams finished the game with 17 points and nine rebounds, marking his team-best eighth game this season scoring in double figures. This was also Williams' fourth consecutive game as the Tigers' leading scorer.
As the game got more physical late in the second half, Xavier was able to pull away as a result of their performance at the charity stripe. The Musketeers were 18-for-22 at the free throw line, including a 10-for-12 mark in the second half. Missouri's team, loaded with freshmen and sophomores, did well to hang with Xavier, who has appeared in the NCAA Tournament in eight of the last nine seasons.
Up next, Missouri will face off against Illinois in the annual Braggin' Rights game, hosted at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Dec. 20, and will be shown nationally on ESPN2. Keep checking in to MUTigers.com for more information on Mizzou Men's Basketball. Fans can also follow the team on twitter (@MizzouHoops).
