14 BIG 12
M
MISSOURITIGERS
Aggies end Missouri's 32-game streak
By Sean Leahy
The Maneater — Wednesday, Feb. 3 www.themaneater.com
When Missouri senior guard J.T. Tiller released a potential game-tying three-point attempt with less than 10 seconds to go against Texas A&M, more than the game hung in the balance.
As the Mizzou Arena crowd held its collective breath in anticipation, the Tigers' 32-game home win streak was also at stake, a mark that had earned second place on the Missouri all-time list.
When the shot hit the rim and ended up in the hands of a Texas A&M defender, a major portion of the Missouri roster experienced something for the first time in its career: a home loss.
Of the 13 players on the Tigers' roster, only Tiller and junior forward Justin Safford were playing for Missouri when it lost to Oklahoma State on Feb. 26, 2008. They were also there for the home finale on March 5, 2008 when Missouri took down Iowa State in
two overtimes to start its streak.
"We haven't lost here in a long time, so it's a pretty new feeling to most of the guys on the team," Tiller said.
The loss halted Missouri's streak two games before it could reach the all-time mark of 34-straight, set from 1988-90.
Before it fell at the hands of the Aggies, Missouri's home-court win streak provided plenty of blowout wins. Of the 32 wins, 27 were by double-digits, and Missouri's average margin of victory was 21.7 points.
But the wins weren't all easy. Missouri beat three ranked teams during its run at home: No. 4 Oklahoma and No.16 Kansas in 2009 and No.10 Kansas State this season. The outcome of the Kansas game wasn't decided until the final minute when then-junior guard Zaire Taylor hit the game-winning shot.
For a player who kept the streak alive last year,seeing another team celebrate on his home court didn't lessen the blow of Wednesday's loss.
"As a competitor, it does bother you to see guys with a smile after the game," Taylor said.
Missouri's Steve Moore spins away from Colorado's Levi Knutson and Dwight Thorne during their game Saturday in Boulder, Colo. The Tiqers won, 84-66.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
Clemente keeps focus on season's final games
By Justin Nutter Kansas State Collegian Monday, Feb. 8
AMES, Iowa — If seven games are all Denis Clemente has left, then he plans to make every one of them count.
That was Clemente's vow after Saturday's 79-75 win at Iowa State — a game in which he tallied a game-high 30 points to lead the No.10 Wildcats to their eighth straight win against the Cyclones.
"I've just got to be focused," Clemente said. "I'll just be thinking sometimes, [these games] are my last seven. I've got to give everything I got, and that's what I intend to do."
If that is really Clemente's plan, he's off to a good start. The Puerto Rico native has racked up 53 points and 11 three-pointers in his last two games. His 30 points on Saturday were the most he's scored since tying a Big 12 record with 44 at Texas last year.
But according to head coach Frank Martin, all that matters to the senior guard is getting into the win column, whether that means scoring 30 points or three.
"Denis wants to win," Martin said. "He doesn't care about anything else. There's a reason our team plays with a certain spirit since he started wearing the uniform."
Iowa State went to star forward Craig Brackins early and often and refused to fold despite falling behind. Brackins dominated the paint from the get-go, scoring 14 of the Cyclones' first 19 points.
After falling behind 0-4, a three-pointer from Jacob Pullen ignited a 13-4 run that put the Wildcats in front, but the battle had just begun.
"[Brackins] is quick and he's a great shooter," said K-State forward Curtis Kelly. "You've really got to stay on him and pressure him a lot, If he gets one sight of the rim, it's going in."
OKLAHOMA SOONERS
Sooners stay unbeaten at home with upset win
By Clark Foy
Oklahoma Daily — Monday, Feb. 8
The Sooners upset the No.9 Texas Longhorns 80-71 at Lloyd Noble Center on Saturday, keeping its unbeaten home record intact.
The Sooners built up an 18-point lead by halftime, and were able to hold on long enough to secure the win.
While the Longhorns did close the deficit at times throughout the game, the Sooners never trailed on their way to victory.
Oklahoma led by as much as 19 in the second half, but Texas would not go down easy, as they chipped the deficit down to five points late in the game.
"I'm really proud of our guys," head coach Jeff Capel said. "I thought we executed and did a great job defensively early in the game."
Capel said the home fans helped his
team with their enthusiasm and support.
"Our crowd was absolutely phenomenal." Capel said.
Freshman guard Tommy Mason-Griffin and junior guard Cade Davis had 16 points in the first half, making up for sophomore guard Willie Warren, who struggled while playing through an ankle injury.
"Davis and Mason-Griffin were tremendous, especially in the first half," Capel said.
Mason-Griffin continued to lead the Sooners on offense as he has in the last several games, finishing with 24 points, five boards and four assists in 39 minutes.
Capel said Mason-Griffin's aggressive style of play is what contributes to his offensive effectiveness.
"He's good, that's just what it comes down to," Capel said. "With the way he shoots the ball and the way he can attack and how strong he is, he should be a guy that gets fouled a lot."
THE WAVE FEBRUARY 10,2010
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN