AUBURN, Ala. - Mizzou Men's Basketball (7-23, 2-16) received strong road scoring performances from sophomore forward Kevin Puryear (Blue Springs, Mo.) and sophomore guard Terrence Phillips (Orange County, Calif.), but it was not enough to upend Auburn (18-13, 7-11), as the home team shot 56.1 percent (32-of-57) from the floor to take the result, 89-78.
Puryear shouldered much of the scoring load for the Tigers, working to get to the free throw line often in the game at Auburn Arena. Puryear's 12 attempts from the charity stripe matched a career-best, while his 10 free throws made mark the second time this season he recorded double digits in free throws made in a game. Puryear finished the contest with 19 points (4-of-14 FG, 1-of-3 3PT, 10-of-12 FT) to match his third-highest scoring output of the season.
Phillips more than doubled up his first-half point total (seven) with an additional eight points following the halftime break. The Tiger guard led a three-point charge in the second half, with two of his deep-range makes helping set Mizzou's season-best for three-pointers made in a game (13).
Mizzou trailed by 14 at the halftime break, 54-40, with early inconsistency from the field and Auburn's remarkable shooting proficiency marring the Black & Gold in the first period. Puryear scored 11 points in the first half to lead the Tigers, sinking 4-of-5 from the free throw line.
Sophomore guard Jordan Geist (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and junior forward Jordan Barnett (St. Louis, Mo.) both joined Puryear and Phillips in double figures, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The "Jordan" duo and Phillips, along with freshman guard Frankie Hughes (Cleveland, Ohio), were also the Tigers who sank multiple three-pointers in the game. Geist found all his points beyond the three-point arc, hitting 4-of-6 from deep with a free throw make for his 13 points. Hughes hit three three-pointers for nine points.
The Tigers next begin postseason play in Nashville, Tenn., for the Southeastern Conference Tournament (March 8-12). Played at Bridgestone Arena, all early-round action will have live coverage on the SEC Network. Mizzou matches up with Auburn for its first round game on Wednesday, March 8, with tipoff slated for approximately 8:30 p.m. CT.
For all the latest on Mizzou Men's Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team at @MizzouHoops (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook).
