@MizzouHoops Improves to 3-0 in Italy with Big Win in Vicenza
8/12/2016 6:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Tigers led in scoring by Phillips’ 17 points in the 81-52 win vs. Vicenza Select
CREAZZO, Italy - Sophomore guard Terrence Phillips (Orange Country, Calif.) scored 17 points (6-of-9 FG, 3-of-3 3PT, 2-of-2 FT) and freshman forward Willie Jackson (Cleveland, Ohio) recorded his second double-double on Italian soil to help Mizzou Men's Basketball overpower Vicenza Select on Friday, 81-52.
Head coach Kim Anderson's squad improved to 3-0 on its foreign tour by shooting well from three-point range at 47.4 percent for the game (9-of-19), including the 3-of-3 game from Phillips, 3-of-4 from freshman guard Frankie Hughes (Cleveland, Ohio) and 3-of-6 from sophomore guard Cullen VanLeer (Pacific, Mo.).
"Our guys thought it was pretty special that Colonel Steve Marks from the Army base here in Vicenza came and spoke to the team before the game," Anderson said. "He's a Mizzou graduate and Columbia native. Colonel Marks even gave the guys a brief rundown of Mizzou Basketball history when we visited the base this morning.
"On the game itself, I told the team to focus on how they play as a group throughout this trip and that really showed up tonight in Vicenza. We next head to Milan looking to finish the tour strong against the Kosovo National Team on Saturday before traveling home all day Monday."
Mizzou led the hometown side by a score of 40-28 at the halftime break, but a strong 26-6 third quarter separated the score line for good. Jackson recorded six of his 12 points during that respective 10-minute period, while sophomore forward Kevin Puryear (Blue Springs, Mo.) tallied six third-quarter-points of his own.
Joining Phillips and Jackson in double-figure scoring in the win were Hughes (12) and VanLeer (10).
The Tigers also saw a strong game turned in by sophomore guard K.J. Walton (Indianapolis, Ind.), who posted eight points (3-of-9 FG, 2-of-3 FT), seven rebounds and two steals. Phillips' full stat line also included team highs in assists (7) and steals (5).
Following the game at the Palazzetto dello Sport, the local organizing committee named Phillips as the Tigers' most valuable player for the event.
The Tigers finish their #ForzaMizzou trip with their final game against the Kosovo National Team on Saturday, Aug. 13 (11:30 a.m. CT) in Costa Masnaga. On Sunday, Aug. 14, Mizzou will take a cruise on Lake Como to end its touring of Italy. Monday, Aug. 15, will be a travel day to return the Tigers to Columbia, Mo.
Game 4: Mizzou vs. Kosovo National Team, Saturday, August 13 (11:30 a.m. CT)
Location: Palazzetto Scuole Elementari, Via Verdi, Costa Masnaga (Lecco)
For all the latest on Mizzou Men's Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (@MizzouHoops).
