University of Missouri
UMKC
Mizzou Drops Regular Season Opener, 69-61, to UMKC
11/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Mizzou men's basketball team (0-1) fell to UMKC (1-0), 69-61, in its regular season opener Friday at Mizzou Arena. Standout freshman guard Montaque Gill-Caesar notched a team-high 21 points in his career debut, with 17 coming in the second half. Sophomore point guard Wes Clark added 13 points, a career-high six steals and five assists.
After trailing by nine points at halftime, the Tigers rallied to pull within three twice in the second half, but UMKC knocked down timely buckets to stay in front. The Roos were led by sophomore point guard Martez Harrison, who poured in a game-high 26 points and cashed in at the charity stripe, sinking 15-of-16 free throws.
At the 14:07 mark with UMKC leading 44-33, Gill-Caesar and fellow Tiger freshman Tramaine Isabell combined to score the Tigers' next 10 points as Mizzou put together a 12-4 run to cut the deficit to three. Isabell came off the bench to score all eight of his points in the second half. UMKC responded with a deep trey from Deshon Taylor to seize back momentum. The Roos shot 6-for-14 from beyond the arc on the night.
The Tigers got back within four points with just under five minutes to go following a ferocious put back slam by Gill-Caesar, but clutch free throw shooting allowed UMKC to close out the victory.
Mizzou returns to action Sunday when the Tigers face Valparaiso on the SEC Network. Tip off is set for 5 p.m. at Mizzou Arena.
For all the latest on Mizzou men's basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on twitter @MizzouHoops.
