The Tigers Own Braggin' Rights Over the Illini
By: Matthew Tritten
Updated: December 23, 2012
(ST. LOUIS, Mo.) The Missouri Tigers picked up a signature win Saturday in their annual Braggin' Rights game against undefeated Illinois.
No. 12 Mizzou (10-1) beat No. 10 Illinois 82-73 at the Scottrade Center for its fourth straight win in the series, and second under head coach Frank Haith.
Junior point guard Phil Pressey had his worst shooting night of the season, starting the game 0-15 from the field and finishing 3-19, but came on late to finish with 12 points and 11 assists in 39 minutes.
Pressey scored 8 of Mizzou's final 14 points, and all 12 came in the second half.
Missouri was able to take a 41-35 lead into the break, and were ahead by 9 with 16:42 left in the game. But there were still four more lead changes before the Tigers went ahead for good on an Earnest Ross layup with 5:31 to play.
Senior Laurence Bowers led the Tigers with 23 points on 10-20 shooting, and he added 10 rebounds.
Former Oregon Duck Jabari Brown made an impression in his first start for Mizzou scoring 18 points and pulling down 7 rebounds.
Alex Oriakhi recorded a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Missouri is on the road Friday against UCLA.
