ST. LOUIS (AP)—Not most bragging for Missouri after this one.
Phil Pressey had 18 points, 5 assists and dual steals, and the
ninth-ranked Tigers hold off a second-half assign by No. 25 Illinois for a 78-74
victory in a annual Braggin’ Rights diversion on Thursday night.
“There’s a excellent line when we have an jaunty group that is good in
transition,” manager Frank Haith said. “We don’t wish to play during diverge speed all
the time. That authorised Illinois to get behind into a game.”
Reserve Michael Dixon combined 18 points and Ricardo Ratliffe had 14 in 19
minutes for Missouri (12-0), that consumed a 13-point pillow with 13 minutes
left before recuperating late. The Tigers have won 3 true in a series
and they’re 12-0 for a initial time given opening a 1981-82 deteriorate 19-0.
“We only had to puncture it out,” ensure Kim English said. “An nauseous win is
better than a flattering detriment any day.”
Reserve Joseph Bertrand had a career-high 19 points on 9-for-9 shooting, and
Meyers Leonard had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Illinois (11-2) in a second
loss in 3 games.
“Coach was only revelation us to be aggressive,” Bertrand said. “It was a
big diversion for everybody and he wanted us to be assertive and leave all on
the court. we kind of took that and ran with it.”
Brandon Paul combined 19 points and 9 rebounds for Illinois.
“They’ll be one of a best teams we’ll play all year” manager Bruce Weber
said. “We had to play tiny ball. Bertrand hadn’t done a bucket in weeks, even
in practice.”
Illinois led 70-68 after 3 giveaway throws by D.J. Richardson with 2:01 to
go, though Missouri answered with 7 true points Ratliffe scored twice
inside, recuperating an erring pass on one and putting behind his possess miss, and also
forced a turnover. Illinois got no closer than 3 points a rest of a way,
with Paul committing dual turnovers.
Phil Pressey’s layup was a clincher with 12 seconds to go for a five-point
lead after Missouri worked a clock.
“When they’re kicking a butt, you’re anticipating to tarry and stay in it,”
Weber said. “We had a possibility to win it and now it hurts.”
Bertrand, a sophomore, totaled dual points in a prior 6 games and came
in averaging 3.2 per game. He scored 9 points in a 17-3 swell for a 62-61
lead with 7:01 to go. The Fighting Illini were 14 for 23 to start a second
half.
Missouri helped with unruly play, throwing adult several ill-advised
3-point attempts, though regained a lead on a pushing shot by Phil Pressey with
6:45 to go.
The Tigers done their initial 14 giveaway throws, 8 of them by Dixon in the
first half, and finished 19 for 23, while Illinois was 8 for 10. Dixon, one of
the nation’s best from a line during 95 percent entering a game, had a first
miss early in a second half and was 10 for 12 during a line.
Both schools were ranked for a second true year and eighth time in 31
all-time meetings. Illinois leads a array 20-11.
Missouri seized control with a 17-2 run for a 19-9 lead with only over 13
minutes left in a half, afterwards sealed it out with 6 true points capped by
Matt Pressey’s follow asperse on younger hermit Phil’s missed layup with 2.5
seconds to go.
Richardson had 10 of his 13 points during a half for Illinois, missed on the
bonus with 29.2 seconds left and fouled Dixon on a expostulate with 1:24 to go.
Hall of Fame manager Whitey Herzog and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon were among a
sellout throng of 22,087. Missouri’s first-year manager was impressed.
“I can’t suppose there being anything else like this, a appetite in the
building,” Haith said. “There was entertaining on each basket. It has to be one
of a good basketball events in a country.”
