Oct. 29, 2008
Final Box Score 
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Freshman sharpshooter Marcus Denmon guided the Missouri Black Team to a 110-84 victory with 36 points and three steals in the annual Black & Gold Game held Wednesday night at Mizzou Arena.
The Black squad led by just eight at the half (49-41), but the unstoppable Kansas City duo of Denmon and senior forward Leo Lyons helped extend their lead to as many as 27 on two separate occasions in the second period.
Lyons, a Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention selection, narrowly missed a double- double, finishing with 20 points and nine rebounds to help power the Black to their 26-point win.
Junior Zaire Taylor, a transfer from University of Delaware, hit 7-of-10 shots in his first active season as a Tiger, while Freshman forward Laurence Bowers chipped in 15.
Senior guard Matt Lawrence aided the Black team with five assists, two steals, and 13 points.
DeMarre Carroll led Missouri's Gold squad with 20 points and two steals. Junior guard J.T. Tiller went 8-of-11 from the floor (17 points) with seven rebounds, three assists, and ripped away three steals to complement Carroll's efforts and keep the Gold team in the game. Tiller also had just one turnover on the night
Versatile sophomore forward Justin Safford added 14 points, while freshmen guards Kim English and Miguel Paul added 17 and nine points, respectively for the Gold team.
Missouri opens exhibition play on Nov. 6 against the Lincoln Blue Tigers out of Jefferson City, Mo. Game time from Mizzou Arena is slated for 7 p.m. Missouri concludes exhibition play on Nov. 11, before opening regular-season play Nov. 15 against Prairie View A&M.
Head Coach Mike Anderson Quotes
Opening Statement:
"First of all, I want to thank the fans for coming out...It was a night for fun. As I told them [the team] the Tigers won tonight. Of course now we will go back in the gym and get to work, but that was a fun night for our guys. Now we just have more pieces to that puzzle and we have to try and integrate those pieces together."
On Marcus Demmon's performance:
"I've seen him play, when you put some officials out there and some fans, he got on a roll and I think the good thing about that is our guys recognize it, even until the last shot was made. Matt Lawrence had a shot and he just passed it and he came off the floor just smiling and that's unselfish basketball. So there is going to be some nice work...I think the key is that our guys recognize that. He [Marcus Demmon] is one of those guys. He was a scorer in high school and we'll see. We still have a lot of work to do, but I like his mindset, his toughness."
On if Marcus Demmon plays with a 'chip on his shoulder':
"I think he wants to get better. As all freshmen come in, they want to prove to the coach...but I just like his mindset, his attitude, he's a guy that always asks questions and he wants to get better."
On the number of turnovers:
"These guys are excited; they want to show everyone what they can do. And now we have a chance to get them back in the gym and settle them down and maybe start playing somebody other than ourselves. We are going to be a team that continues to value the basketball and we are going to play at a fast pace, but the one thing we do, we value the basketball."
On the start of the 2008 season after the end of the 2007 one:
"It's refreshing to see some new faces and some guys that want to be Tigers and guys that are excited; I think we've got the chance to have some good players. Now we are molding that team."
### GO MIZZOU ###
