COLUMBIA, Mo. – A second-half run proved too much for the Northern Kentucky men's basketball team to overcome in a 72-57 loss at Missouri on Friday night. NKU slides to 1-1 on the year, while Mizzou moves to 2-0.
Stats Leaders
Turning Point
- Northern Kentucky pulled within four, 43-39, at the 16:42 mark of the second half, but Missouri scored the next 17 points to put a 21-point cushion on the scoreboard for the Tigers.
First Half Summary
- NKU trailed by seven at intermission, 36-29.
- Walton scored eight points in the opening stanza, while Sharpe, Adheke and Eleeda contributed six each.
- Northern Kentucky converted 39 percent (12-of-31) of its shots, but Mizzou made 48 (13-of-27).
- Missouri pulled ahead 12-7 with 14:45 left in the half, but NKU responded with a 7-2 run to knot the score at 14.
- A 9-2 run by the Tigers was answered by six straight from the Norse, bringing them within one at 23-22.
- After Walton connected on a layup with 2:35 left in the half to pull NKU within a pair, 31-29, Mizzou responded with the final five points.
Second Half Summary
- NKU countered a pair of mini-runs from Mizzou with two mini-runs of its own, the latter of which was capped by a Sharpe three to pull the Norse within four, 43-39.
- The Tigers then scored 17-straight to put the game out of reach.
- Northern Kentucky went just 10-of-28 (36 percent) from the field in the second half, while allowing Missouri to make 12-of-28 (43 percent).
Game Notes
- Northern Kentucky forced Missouri into 12 turnovers, which it converted into a 16-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
- NKU shot 37 percent for the game (22-of-59), but just 28 percent (8-of-29) from three. Meanwhile, Missouri made 46 percent (25-of-55) of its field goals and 32 percent (6-of-19) from distance.
- Through two games, Sharpe is averaging 18.5 points per game and Tate is distributing 6.0 assists per outing.
Next Up
Northern Kentucky stays on the road for a Tuesday night showdown at Coastal Carolina. Gametime is set for 7 p.m., in Conway, South Carolina.
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