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Missouri takes care of Iowa State

Feb 20, 2011 - 1:13 AM Ames, IA (Sports Network) - Marcus Denmon had 25 points to help No. 20 Missouri snap a five-game road skid with a 76-70 win over Iowa State.

Laurence Bowers had 16 points and seven rebounds while Ricardo Ratliffe added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Tigers (21-6, 7-5 Big 12), who have won three straight.

Jake Anderson had 17 points for the Cyclones (14-13, 1-11), who continued their free-fall with their ninth straight loss. Calvin Godfrey had 13 points and 10 boards and Scott Christopherson added 13 points.

"We dug ourselves too deep a hole early in the game," said Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg. "We spend too much energy trying to claw our way back and there's nothing left at the end."

The Cyclones kept the game close in the second half and Melvin Ejim's slam with 4:09 to play cut Missouri's lead to 62-60.

Missouri, though, countered with the next six points to give itself a comfortable margin. Denmon hit a pair of free throws following Ejim's slam and a turnover by Ejim saw Bowers hit two more from the line. Two possessions later, Bowers put in a jumper with 1:55 to play for a 68-60 lead.

Godfrey stanched the bleeding with two from the stripe with 1:18 left, but Missouri hit its free throws down the stretch to hang on for the win.

Missouri never trailed in this game and a 10-2 run early saw the team grab a 21-9 lead just under seven minutes in.

Iowa State, though, was able to cut into the margin and keep the game close trimming Missouri's lead to 33-31 on a three-point play from Godfrey at 2:44. The Tigers eventually took a 35-33 lead into the break.

Missouri's lead was never more than eight in the second half and Diante Garrett's layup tied the game at 58-all with just over six minutes left.

Game Notes

Missouri hosts Baylor on Wednesday...Iowa State plays in Texas on Tuesday...The Tigers lead the series with the Cyclones, 147-84...Missouri's last road win prior to Saturday came on December 22 at Illinois...Missouri shot 49.1 percent in the game while Iowa State hit 45.5 percent.