ST. LOUIS – Mizzou Men's Basketball (7-4) defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini, 63-56, at the Enterprise Center on Saturday afternoon, earning its second-consecutive Braggin' Rights victory. Saturday was the 50th overall meeting between Mizzou and Illinois, and the Tigers have now won consecutive games in the series for the first time since 2011-2012, and won their 14th overall Braggin' Rights contest.
Mizzou featured three different players in double-digits, sophomore guard Xavier Pinson (14 points), sophomore guard Javon Pickett (17 points) and junior guard Dru Smith (19 points). The smothering Mizzou defense forced 17 turnovers, the second most of the season, and held the Illini to lengthy scoring droughts on three separate occasions.
Illinois led much of the first 20 minutes, however Mizzou stormed back on a 13-4 run to close the half for a 26-23 lead thanks to eight-consecutive points from Dru Smith. The 23 points for the Illini marked their second-lowest scoring half of the season.
Mizzou came out hot in the second half, extending the run out to 19-5. The tough Tiger defense was again stifling in the second half, holding the Illini to only one field goal in the first 10 minutes. Javon Pickett again showed up in a big way for the Tigers in the annual Braggin Rights game, scoring a season-high 17 points (one more point than his 16 in last year's victory).
TURNING POINT
In the second half, Kobe Brown collected his fourth steal on the day, and finished the play off with a tough layup. On the ensuing Illini possession, Javon Pickett recorded another steal that he capped off with a layup to push the Tiger lead out to 14, the largest of the game for Mizzou. Illinois would close the gap to five with under a minute remaining, but multiple Dru Smith free throws sealed the seven-point victory for Mizzou.
TOP TIGERS
- Junior guard Dru Smith led all scorers Saturday afternoon, posting 19 points, grabbing five rebounds, dishing four assists and forcing one steal.
- Sophomore guard Javon Pickett recorded a season-high 17 points vs. the Illini, one more point than his game-high in last season's Braggin' Rights victory.
- Sophomore guard Xavier Pinson added big buckets down the stretch for Mizzou, posting 14 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Notes
- Mizzou held Illinois to just 23 points in the first half, which is their lowest scoring half all season. The team's previous low was 26 against Hawaii on Nov. 18.
- Mizzou's defense held Illinois to 26 percent shooting in the second half, only allowing six field goals.
- The Tigers held Illinois to just 56 points for the game, which marked a new season-low for Illinois. Their previous low was 58 against Maryland.
- The Tigers recorded 10 steals, and now have 77 steals this season.
- Xavier Pinson hit two three pointers which is a new season-high.
- Dru Smith now has at least one steal in 24 consecutive games, and at least one assist in 54 consecutive games.
- Kobe brown recorded a career-high four steals.
- Illinois entered today's contest as a +14.2 in total rebounds, however the Tigers outrebounded Illinois 36-32.
- Pinson, Pickett, and Dru Smith all finished with at least 12 points tonight, this is only the fourth time three Tigers have scored in double-digits this season.
- The Tigers forced 17 turnovers and have now forced at least 15 turnovers seven times this season.
- Javon Pickett racked up a season-high 17 points he has now scored in double-digits in three consecutive games.
- Dru Smith shot 9-of-10 from the stripe, and is now shooting 90 percent from the free throw line this season.
- Mizzou has held seven opponents to fewer than 60 points this season, passing last season's total. In Cuonzo Martin's 76 games at Mizzou, the Tigers have held opponents to fewer than 60 points on 25 occasions.
Up Next
Mizzou Men's Basketball will be back in action Monday (Dec. 30) as it heads back to Mizzou arena to face Chicago State. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on SEC Network Plus.
For all the latest on Mizzou's Men's Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MizzouHoops.
