Mizzou Basketball Post Game Notes
11/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 24, 2010
Mizzou vs. La Salle
Post Game Notes
Nov. 24, 2010
Missouri improved to 4-0 on the year and won the 2010 Cancun Challenge title. It's Missouri's third tourney title under Mike Anderson. The Tigers won the 2009 Big 12 title and the 2006 John Thompson Foundation title at Mizzou Arena.
Talk about improvement over the last 24 hours ... Missouri responded from a 20-turnover effort vs. Wyoming on Tuesday and had just six turnovers in the win vs. La Salle. The Tigers also dished 17 assists and had 37 total dimes over the two-day event in Mexico.
Matt Pressey made his first career start. He stepped in for Marcus Denmon. But as we know with Missouri, Coach Anderson has a number of starters on this season's club and Denmon scored 21 points off the pine and was named Tournament MVP.
Denmon was joined on the all-tourney squad by Ricardo Ratliffe. The junior college transfer grabbed career high 14 rebounds to go along with 14 points. He now has two double-doubles this season.
Missouri broke out the black uniforms for the first time tonight. The Tigers have worn all three colors this season, wearing white and gold once each at home.
Justin Safford really fueled Missouri early, scoring nine of the team's first 10 points in the game. He eclipsed his season high for scoring in the first 3:47 of the contest. Safford now his 14 career double-figure scoring games.
Ricky Kreklow hit two huge treys in the opening half and finished with a career high six points.
Michael Dixon was not named to the all-tournament team, but he was solid at the point. He finished with 11 assists in the two games in Mexico. He had just four turnovers.
Talk about balance once again, nine of 10 players who played more than one minute had at least two points and one rebound.
Missouri scored a season high 49 bench points. The Tigers came into Wednesday's game averaging 27.0 bench points. The previous season high was 36 in the 96-58 win over North Florida.
Ricardo Ratliffe's 14 boards are the most for a Tiger since Leo Lyons grabbed 18 vs. Oklahoma State in 2008.
