Oct. 25, 2003
Columbia, Mo. - Sophomore Jimmy McKinney and freshman Thomas Gardner led the Mizzou Black team back from a 26-21 halftime deficit to overtake the Mizzou Gold team en route to a 56-48 win in the annual Missouri Basketball Black and Gold game. The duo scored 15 and 17 points respectively in the Tigers second pre-season scrimmage of the young season in front of 5,296 Tiger faithful.
The Gold jumped out to a dominant start shooting 10-of-21 from the field in the first half while out-rebounding the Black, 13-6 in the half. However, the Black was unbelievable in the second stanza outscoring the Gold, 35-22 on 10-of-18 shooting while also cashing in on 10-of 12 free throw shooting in the half.
Senior Travon Bryant was outstanding for the elder Gold squad (four seniors and two juniors) scoring 15 points while pulling down 11 rebounds going 6-for-9 from the field. Fellow senior Arthur Johnson was also great scoring a team-high 17 points while senior Josh Kroenke scored nine points, all of which came via the three-point shot.
Besides freshman dynamo Gardner, several other Tigers had good outings for the Black squad. Junior transfer Jason Conley scored 10 points and blocked two shots while sophomore Kevin Young and freshman Linas Kleiza scored seven points a piece.
The Black and Gold game wraps up the Tigers first week of practice and they will take Sunday off before returning to work on Monday. For more information on Mizzou basketball, log on to the home of Missouri Athletics, www.mutigers.com.