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Missouri ends Nebraska's winning streak

Jan 13, 2011 - 3:30 AM Columbia, MO (Sports Network) - Marcus Denmon had 27 points and four rebounds as 15th-ranked Missouri downed Nebraska, 77-69, in Big 12 action.

Laurence Bowers had 12 points and seven boards while Ricardo Ratliffe added 12 and seven for the Tigers (15-2, 1-1 Big 12), who rebounded from Saturday's loss to Colorado.

"That was a game that went in typical conference fashion," said Missouri head coach Mike Anderson. "We opened up at home playing against a gritty, defensive team playing really good basketball. They have a great defense. Our energy level was really obvious from the get go and of course we made some shots."

Toney McCray had 17 points and five rebounds and Caleb Walker donated 12 points for the Cornhuskers (13-3, 1-1), who had won their past 11 and lost for the first time since dropping a decision to Davidson on November 19.

"The game played out just like you would expect it to play out," said Nebraska head coach Doc Sadler. "Missouri is very good - they do an excellent job of doing what they do. They executed what they do better than what we did tonight."

Trailing in the second half, Nebraska got consecutive baskets from Brandon Richardson and Walker to cut its deficit to 44-41 four minutes in.

The Tigers, though, answered with the next six points and built the advantage back to 10 after a Denmon three-pointer made it a 53-43 contest.

A Michael Dixon jumper moved Missouri's advantage to 11 points, 59-48, with 8 1/2 minutes to play, but Nebraska kept it close as Caleb Walker's three-pointer and Lance Jeter's layup again made it a six-point game.

The Cornhuskers again got close as Walker connected on a three-pointer with just over five minutes to play to get within five, 63-58, but Missouri notched the next three baskets with Denmon's slam making it an 11-point game with under four minutes to play.

McCray connected from long range with just over a minute to play and a three- point play from Kamyron Brown with 32 seconds left made it a 73-69 contest.

However, Denmon and Kim English each made two free throws to seal the win.

Missouri started the game scoring the first eight points with Denmon capping the burst on a three-ball just 1 1/2 minutes in.

The Tigers led by 13 points with just over six minutes to play after Ratliffe's layup made it a 28-15 contest, but the Cornhuskers countered with a three-point play from Jorge Brian Diaz and a traditional three-pointer from Richardson to get within seven.

Missouri again built its lead to 12 points on a free throw by Steve Moore with three minutes to play, but Nebraska scored six of the final eight points in the half to make it 36-28 at the break.

Game Notes

Missouri plays at Texas A&M on Saturday...Nebraska is also on the road for a game on Saturday against Kansas...Missouri owns a 126-92 edge in the series...Both teams shot 25-for-59, but Missouri made eight more free throws in the contest.