Feb. 3, 2000
2/3/2000
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Missouri did something it hasn't done in six years. It won a game in Boulder.
Brian Grawer posted a game high 23 points, and Clarence Gilbert scored a key basket with 2:25 to play, leading Missouri to an 86-81 win over Colorado in the Big 12 Wednesday night.
With Gilbert's three-pointer, Missouri (13-6, 6-1) took the lead for good at 78-76.
Gilbert converted another shot with 1:40 remaining, giving Missouri an 80-76 advantage and sealing the Tigers' first win in Boulder since 1994.
Colorado (11-9, 2-6) suffered it's third straight loss, and has now lost six of its last eight games.
The win was Missouri's sixth straight.
``Our big guys really gave themselves up for the game tonight,'' said Missouri coach Quinn Snyder. ``They stepped up, blocked out and didn't worry about their points.''
The Buffaloes managed to get within 82-79 on a basket by Jaquay Walls, but Colorado could come no closer the rest of the way as Grawer and Johnnie Parker scored each of their free throws, giving Missouri an 86-79 lead with 16 seconds to play.
``The guys tried to get me some shots,'' Grawer said. ``Once I hit the first one, Clarence (Gilbert) looked at me and said I'll find you every time down the court.''
Missouri, which took a 42-30 lead at the intermission, led by as many as 15 points in both halves, taking a 56-41 lead with 14:11 to play.
Colorado held its only lead with 2:38 remaining when Nick Mohr scored a basket that gave the Buffaloes a 76-75 advantage.
But Gilbert answered, scoring his three-pointer that gave Missouri the lead for good.
Colorado, which converted its first 11 free throws in the second half, missed three key free throws down the stretch.
``If we keep losing close games it will definitely hurt our confidence,'' Colorado coach Ricardo Patton. ``Ultimately, we just have to have guys put the ball in the hole.''
Jeff Hafer scored 16 points, Kareem Rush had 15 and Parker added 10 points, rounding out Missouri's double-figure scorers.
Meanwhile, Colorado was led by Jamahl Mosley's 22 points, Walls had 19 and Kyle Williams and Richard Fox each had 10.