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Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Men's Basketball closes out disappointing season at National Invitation Tournament
Ryan Maris, Corner Post Staff

March 11, 2004 - Basketball season is over. It's been a long road for the men's team this season, fighting through injuries and intense pressure to succeed. Starting the year ranked nationally as high as third, it was a tough billing to live up to.

After close wins over Oakland and Coppin State, the Tigers traveled to Indiana for a big game against the storied Hoosiers. Trailing some of the game they came back to win, going on a run the last five minutes and dominating the end of the game. The next big game didn't fare as well for the Tigers, traveling to Seattle to face the no longer Cinderella Gonzaga Bulldogs, losing in overtime. After another tight win over UNC-Greensboro the Tigers were four and one heading into the Illinois Braggin' Rights game in St. Louis.

After a first half many would like to forget, the Tigers battled back again, only to lose 72 to 70 to the Fighting Illini. They then had another tough loss to Memphis and then a shocking loss to Belmont at home. The Tigers finally pulled through the next home game against Iowa, winning by 20 January 3rd, their first win by more than 10. They then lost the conference opener at Iowa State, coming home and beating Texas A & M after that, which set them up again for another big game against reigning National Champion Syracuse, the Tigers record at six wins and five losses.

Mizzou came out in the Syracuse game and were up by as many as four in the first half, but went into the locker room down six at halftime. The second half was a much different story as Mizzou never took the lead back and lost 82 to 68. The Tigers then headed to Norman, Oklahoma for another conference game. Oklahoma was ranked 11th in the nation at the time so it was a big game. The Tigers fought all game and won 79 to 75 in overtime.

The Tigers came back to Hearnes for a game against Texas, ranked 14th in the nation at the time. The Tigers looked like they had a win but Texas came back late with a three-pointer to send it to overtime, again. Mizzou collapsed at the free throw line and Texas won 75 to 69. The Tigers got back to their winning ways with a home win against Nebraska by 21 points. They then lost to Colorado by 13 in Boulder. They had another win against Kansas State at home.

Missouri then had back to back losses on the road, losing by nine at Kansas and by 16 in the rematch against Nebraska. After that the Tigers pulled off a six game winning streak, beating Colorado, UNLV by 34, Iowa State, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State. The Cowboys of Oklahoma State came to Hearnes ranked sixth in the nation. Mizzou led most of the game and the Cowboys came back, sending it to overtime. They went to a second frame of overtime as the Tigers won 93 to 92, and the student crowd rushed the court.

The regular season ended with two tough conference losses to Texas Tech and Kansas, the last game at the Hearnes Center. They lost to Kansas by two after it seemed they had made a comeback late in the game. In the Big 12 Tournament, they squeaked out a win against Texas A & M and then had a rematch with Kansas. After leading most of the first half the Tigers were down two at halftime. Once again, somehow the Tigers never saw the lead in the second half and were blown out by 25.

With a 16 and 13 record, this sent the Tigers to the National Invitation Tournament. Their first and also last game of the tournament was Tuesday night against Michigan. Arthur Johnson and Rickey Paulding went home for their last game, the two of them from Detroit and the game being in Ann Arbor. The Tigers again played a close first half with Michigan only leading by eight or less and changing leads many times. Mizzou came back with their own eight point lead in the second half but again Michigan rallied and the Tigers couldn't quite get back as they lost 65 to 64, ending their season.

As the somewhat disappointing season is over, there is always next year to look forward to with a healthy Linas Kleiza and returning guards, junior Jimmy McKinney, sophomore Thomas Gardner and senior Jason Conley. The recruiting class also has a true point guard coming in with a couple other top 50 forwards to replace Arthur Johnson and Travon Bryant.

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