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Tigers Beat Bruins In Battle Of Unbeatens

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Before the Missouri Tigers took the field in the Georgia Dome for the SEC Championship, the Tigers basketball program took to the hardwood to face 18th ranked UCLA in a battle of unbeatens. After trailing 43-35 at halftime, Missouri rallied behind a stifling defensive effort in the second half to prevail at home, 80-71.

The win keeps Missouri undefeated at 9-0 and could move the Tigers into the top 25 next week. As for UCLA, the Bruins suffered their first loss of the season under Steve Alford, and could fall from their 18th ranking out of the top 25.

While sophomore guard Jordan Adams was tied for the leading scorer in the game with 22 points, he was the only Bruin to eclipse the 20 point mark, and did so shooting 6-for-18 from the field and 1-6 from three-point range. Fellow starting guard Kyle Anderson scored 13 points, while Zach LaVine also contributed 13 points off the bench for UCLA.

Tying Adams for the leading scorer in the game was Missouri junior guard Jabari Brown, shooting 5-for-12 from the field and hitting all 10 free throw attempts in the game. Brown had three other starters for the Tigers scoring in double figures, with Jordan Clarkson scoring 21, Earnest Ross scoring 20, and Johnathan Williams III adding 10 points.

Despite their football team playing a couple hours after tip for the SEC title, Missouri had a packed crowd at Mizzou Arena for their toughest non-conference game so far on the season. The win was the first win for the SEC over a ranked opponent so far on the season, and keeps head coach Frank Heath unbeaten in non-conference play at Missouri and 39-1 at home as head coach.

The Tigers still have Western Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina State, and Long Beach State remaining in their non-conference schedule before SEC play. As for the Bruins, they host Prarie View A&M before a tough three game stretch with Duke, Weber State, and Alabama before they open in Pac-12 play.

 

 

Follow Brandon Boles on Twitter: @BrandonBoles

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(Photo Credit: Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports)

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