Missouri Falters in Overtime at Kentucky
By: Matthew Tritten
Updated: February 24, 2013
(LEXINGTON, Ky.) Playing in the most historic building in college basketball Saturday night, the Missouri Tigers seemed poised to pick up their second road win of the season in front of a raucous crowd.
But Mizzou (19-8, 8-6 SEC) couldn't hang on against the unranked Kentucky Wildcats in a 90-83 overtime loss at Rupp Arena.
The Tigers jumped out to a 28-15 lead in the first half, but a 9-0 run for UK pulled them back within two possessions.
Once the second half began, Missouri didn't lead by more than two points the rest of the game.
Junior guard Phil Pressey led the Tigers with 27 points on 12-24 shooting. He also had 10 assists and four steals, while turning the ball over four times.
Pressey had a chance to win the game in regulation for MU. He drove the lane with eight seconds left, but missed the lay-up with the game tied 75-75.
Missouri has now lost two of its last three games, and are 1-7 in true road games this season.
The Wildcats outscored the Tigers 15-8 in the overtime period with all of Missouri's points coming from Pressey.
UK only converted two field goal attempts in the extra period while hitting 11-14 free throw attempts.
Senior Laurence Bowers fouled out of the game with 1:31 left in regulation. Bowers finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
Alex Oriakhi added 16 points and 15 rebounds, but the Tigers second-leading scorer took his final shot attempt with 3:08 left in the second half.
Julius Mays led Kentucky with 24 points.
Missouri tries to cure its road woes Thursday at South Carolina.
The Tigers beat the Gamecocks 71-65 in Mizzou Arena earlier this year.
