During the first half of the 2011 version of the University of Missouri and University of Illinois annual "Braggin' Rights" game in St. Louis, things looked as though they could get out of hand on multiple occasions. Frank Haith's high octane offense was hitting on all cylinders as the Tigers jumped out to 41-30 half time lead.
Yet despite multiple opportunities to push the margin much higher, Mizzou's offense, and defensive pressure for that matter, stalled, and Illinois made a late charge, overcoming a 15 point deficit to tie the score at 64 a piece with 5:06 remaining in the contest.
With the lead changing hands on multiple occasions down the stretch, Mizzou got a pair of huge plays from senior forward Ricardo Ratliffe and was able to hold on for a 78-74 victory and claim "Braggin' Rights" for the third consecutive season.
During the last two minutes of play Ratliffe was able to find the handle on a pair of loose balls under the basket on two seperate occasions, converting crucial baskets down the stretch. Ratliffe also made a great defensive play, deflecting an Illinois entry pass to Illini center Meyers Leonard that led to a key Kim English three-point play.
Mizzou's offense and defensive pressure in the first half made the Illini look lost on several occasions. But in the second half, Mizzou, and most notably point guard Phil Pressey, got complacent offensively. Mizzou took several bad shots and turned the ball over repeatedly, scoring just five points during a 5:03 second span in the middle of the second half.
And head coach Bruce Weber's Fighting Illini took full advantage. Led by Leonard and reserve guard Joseph Betrand, the Illini charged all the way back and pushed Mizzou to the brink before eventually coming up short.
Leonard had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Illini while Bertrand chipped in 19 points. Illinois guard Brandon Paul also had 19 points to lead the team in scoring.
Mizzou was paced by Pressey, who had 20 points while reserve guard Michael Dixon scored 19 points, including three key free throws down the final stretch. Mizzou's leading scorer Marcus Denmon was held to just 8 points on seven shots in the victory.
Mizzou improves to 12-0 on the season while the Illini fall to 11-2.
Sources:
Yet despite multiple opportunities to push the margin much higher, Mizzou's offense, and defensive pressure for that matter, stalled, and Illinois made a late charge, overcoming a 15 point deficit to tie the score at 64 a piece with 5:06 remaining in the contest.
With the lead changing hands on multiple occasions down the stretch, Mizzou got a pair of huge plays from senior forward Ricardo Ratliffe and was able to hold on for a 78-74 victory and claim "Braggin' Rights" for the third consecutive season.
During the last two minutes of play Ratliffe was able to find the handle on a pair of loose balls under the basket on two seperate occasions, converting crucial baskets down the stretch. Ratliffe also made a great defensive play, deflecting an Illinois entry pass to Illini center Meyers Leonard that led to a key Kim English three-point play.
Mizzou's offense and defensive pressure in the first half made the Illini look lost on several occasions. But in the second half, Mizzou, and most notably point guard Phil Pressey, got complacent offensively. Mizzou took several bad shots and turned the ball over repeatedly, scoring just five points during a 5:03 second span in the middle of the second half.
And head coach Bruce Weber's Fighting Illini took full advantage. Led by Leonard and reserve guard Joseph Betrand, the Illini charged all the way back and pushed Mizzou to the brink before eventually coming up short.
Leonard had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Illini while Bertrand chipped in 19 points. Illinois guard Brandon Paul also had 19 points to lead the team in scoring.
Mizzou was paced by Pressey, who had 20 points while reserve guard Michael Dixon scored 19 points, including three key free throws down the final stretch. Mizzou's leading scorer Marcus Denmon was held to just 8 points on seven shots in the victory.
Mizzou improves to 12-0 on the season while the Illini fall to 11-2.
Sources:
Comments
Post a Comment