Mizzou Picks Up its 1st SEC Win
By: Matthew Tritten
Updated: January 9, 2013
(COLUMBIA, Mo.) No. 10 Missouri's first experience of Southeastern Conference play started off slow, but the Tigers used a strong second half to push past Alabama 84-68 Tuesday night.
Mizzou (12-2, 1-0 SEC) shot the ball well all game, from 54-percent from the field in the first half to 58-percent in the second, especially newcomers Jabari Brown and Earnest Ross.
The Tigers and Crimson Tide were tied 26-26 with 4:40 to play in the first half when Brown got hot from beyond the arc.
He hit three 3-pointers on Missouri's next three possessions to put them ahead by four. In all, Brown made five consecutive 3-point attempts, the final two putting the Tigers ahead for good.
Ross single-handedly outscored the Alabama bench with a season-high 19 points on 7-12 shooting.
Phil Pressey posted his third double-double in four games by scoring 11 points and dishing 13 assists.
Alex Oriakhi added 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Trevor Releford scored a career-high 26 points to keep the Crimson Tide close until Missouri began to pull away with ten minutes to play.
The Tigers play their first road SEC game Saturday at Ole Miss.
