Mizzou MBB Defeats Northern Illinois 78-71
The Mizzou men’s basketball team defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies 78-71 Friday night in Mizzou Arena. With the win, the Tigers remain undefeated at home. It was another team effort from the Tigers; four players scored in double digits, and the same number took more than 10 shots.
The game started off much like other Tiger games throughout the season. The Tigers got off to another hot start, buoyed by a frozen cold start from the Huskies. The Huskies started out o-for-10 from the floor, allowing the Tigers to get out to a 12-0 start. However, the Tigers let NIU come back into the game, even allowing NIU to lead for 1:32 in the first half. NIU’s comeback was largely due to poor shooting on the part of the Tigers; Missouri suffered two scoring droughts in the first half of at least three minutes.
However, the Tigers were very, very lucky. In the first half the Huskies shot 27 percent from the floor; their percentage was as low as 14 percent (they would end the night shooting 35 percent). A better-shooting team would have ripped apart the Tigers during those scoring droughts. The Huskies were only able to muster a 27-26 halftime score.
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The Tigers quickly found their groove in the second half. Cullen Vanleer and Namon Wright sunk threes late into the half that put the game just out of reach for the Huskies. Kevin Puryear also lit it up in the second half, overcoming a weak first to score 14 out of his team-leading 17 points. Terrence Philips and Jakeenan Gant also scored most of their double-digit workloads in the second half.
The Huskies overcame their poor shooting mostly thanks to Marshawn Wilson, who scored a game-high 24 points. His 5-12 FG, 4-9 3FG, and 10-10 FT is probably the Night’s most impressive stat line.
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The win tonight showcased what we have in every Tiger win this year; a team win propelled by a young core. Kevin Puryear and Terrence Philips were once again the big men of the night for Mizzou, and look to repeat that when the Tigers host Nebraska-Omaha on Wednesday.