Feb. 26, 2005
Box Score |
Notes
By JIM VERTUNO
AP Sports Writer
AUSTIN, Texas - Jason Klotz scored six straight points in the key
scoring run to open the second half and Texas grabbed a key Big 12 win with a
63-51 victory over Missouri.
Kenny Taylor scored 20 points for Texas (19-8, 8-6), which guaranteed at
least a .500 regular-season finish in the Big 12. While that mark won't ensure
the Longhorns a seventh consecutive NCAA tournament bid, it was considered a
necessary benchmark.
Jason Conley scored 15 points to lead Missouri (14-14, 6-8).
Klotz finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, none bigger than his three
straight baskets at the start of the second half. Texas used a 13-0 run to
shake off a dismal 6-of-32 shooting performance in the first.
The Longhorns made just two baskets over the final 13:48 of the first half
and trailed 25-24 at the break.
Dion Dowell made sure he couldn't miss the first shot of the second. Daniel
Gibson grabbed a Missouri turnover and fired a pass to Dowell, who threw down a
two-handed dunk that gave the Longhorns the lead.
Then it seemed like Texas couldn't miss. Taylor hit a 3-pointer and Klotz,
who was 2-of-8 in the first half, hit a layup and stepped away from the basket
to swish two jumpers as the Longhorns opened a 37-25 lead. Texas hit 12 of 17
shots in the second.
Klotz's 3-point play with 9:51 left made it 47-33 before Missouri rallied
behind three consecutive 3-pointers that cut it to 49-42.
Taylor then hit two of his four 3-pointers, including one from deep on the
left wing just before the shot block buzzer that snuffed the rally with just
under two minutes to play.
