Sharp-Shooting Tigers Drop Oklahoma State

Originally Published: Jan 30, 2010 3:18 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

COLUMBIA, Missouri -- The last time the Missouri Tigers lost at home was 31 games ago at the hands of the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

The Cowboys took their three-game win streak into Columbia in an attempt at a repeat performance, but the sharp-shooting Tigers dropped Oklahoma State 95-80.

An early 9-0 run took Missouri from a 16-10 lead to a 25-10 lead early in the first half. The Cowboys battled back, but could only draw it to eight before heading into the locker room.

James Anderson scored OSU’s first 11 points of the half to narrow the gap to six points early in the second half, but an onslaught of 3-pointers boosted Missouri late in the game.

The Tigers scored 11 straight, including two from behind the arc by Zaire Taylor, to expand the lead to 12 points with 12:43 left in the game.

That 11 straight turned into a 16-4 run to make the lead 71-55 halfway through the final 20 minutes.

Anderson did his best to keep Oklahoma State in the game, finishing with 31 points, eight rebounds and three assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the overwhelming outside presence of Missouri.

Mizzou hit 17 3-point shots in the game, including four from Kim English, Marcus Denmon and Michael Dixon Jr., who was perfect from behind the arc.

Turnovers were also problematic for the Oklahoma State, as they gave the ball to the Tigers 24 times, 11 by Anderson, Marshall Moses and Fred Gulley combined.

The Cowboys will try to get back to their winning ways Feb. 1 at home against Texas.