Missouri falls on the road to LSU in Laurence Bowers’ return
Jan 30, 2013, 10:27 PM EDT
Getty Images Frank Haith and Missouri got good news early Wednesday afternoon, when Laurence Bowers, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder, was ready return to action after missing the previous five games with a MCL sprain. He was suppose to help Mizzou get back on the right track, after Mizzou gone 3-2 without the 6-foot-7 forward on the floor.
Even with Bowers’ 10 points and six rebounds (four offensive), it wasn’t enough to cure Missouri’s offensive struggles.
No. 17 Missouri is now playing .500 ball over the last six games, falling 73-70 to LSU on the road Wednesday night. The offensive woes for Missouri got LSU off to a double-digit lead heading into halftime. as the home team led by as many as 16 in the first half. Mizzou shot 27 percent in the first half, 37 percent for the game. In three of Missouri’s last four games, the Tigers have shot in the 30′s.
Midway through the second half, LSU still held a 10-point lead. That’s when Mizzou made a run to get back in the game. During a seven minute stretch Missouri outscored LSU 13-6 to get withing three several times off baskets from Earnest Ross and Phil Pressey.
LSU would initially fight off Missouri comeback. But with under a minute to go, LSU gave Missouri it’s best chance to steal the win by missing free throw after free throw.
Shavon Coleman made one free throw to make it 73-70 and proceeded to miss his next four. Offense plagued Mizzou until the end, as the Tigers couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity.
Pressey led Missouri (15-5, 4-3) with 25 points, five assists and four rebounds. Anthony Hickey, the nation’s steals leader, provided the defensive pressure, while also scoring 20 points to go along with four assists and two steals for LSU (11-7, 2-5)
Missouri tried to get back on track against Auburn at home on Saturday. The Tigers are now 0-3 on the road in SEC play with double-digit losses at both Ole Miss and Florida.
In those three road losses, Mizzou is shooting under 37 percent. Turnovers were a problem against Ole Miss and Florida, as the Tigers averaged 20 turnovers over those two games. Against LSU, Missouri only coughed it up eight times.
Mizzou will look to gets its first SEC road victory against Texas A&M next Thursday.
Terrence is also the lead writer at NEHoopNews.com and can be followed on Twitter: @terrence_payne
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Northwestern completes their coaching staff by adding Armon Gates
Jun 19, 2013, 1:06 PM EDT
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Report: Darius Cobb, Ben McLemore’s AAU coach, to speak to the NCAA today
Jun 19, 2013, 12:25 PM EDT
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Communication plays vital role in development of Marquette’s Vander Blue
Jun 19, 2013, 11:30 AM EDT
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Report: Gonzaga kicks off their 2014 recruiting class with top 150 guard Silas Melson
Jun 19, 2013, 10:52 AM EDT
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AP
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Penn State grants forward Jon Graham release, will transfer
Jun 18, 2013, 7:52 PM EDT
AP
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AP
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AP
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#POSTERIZED: Aaron Gordon demolishes Nigel Williams-Goss (VIDEO)
Jun 18, 2013, 3:03 PM EDT
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Jun 18, 2013, 2:28 PM EDT
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AP
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Former UNC Asheville guard Keith Hornsby transfers to LSU
Jun 17, 2013, 11:01 PM EDT
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