(Photo Credit: USA Today Sports)
The Missouri Tigers extended their losing streak to 12 straight tonight following a loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks 84-69. The 12 game losing streak is the longest since the 1966-67 season.
Bobby Portis led the 18th ranked Razorbacks with 16 points and nine rebounds en route to Arkansas’ 21st win of the season and 10th in conference play. The Razorbacks currently rank second in the SEC with a record of 21-5 and trail only Kentucky.
The Tigers trailed to start the game, but heated up later when Johnathan Williams III threw down a thunderous dunk giving Missouri a 13-12 lead midway through the first half.
Behind Michael Qualls the Razorbacks went on a 15-0 run to cement a formidable 31-19 advantage. Qualls had a game high 21 points and added six rebounds.
Missouri’s Jakeenan Gant made an impact for the first time in awhile with 11 points. Gant scored seven of those eleven in the closing minutes of the opening half as the Tigers trailed the Razorbacks 37-29 at the break.
The Razorbacks came out of the second half red-hot hitting four of their first five shots stretching their lead 44-29.
With Wes Clark out for the season and Williams III struggling to find the basket it was the freshman, who stepped up. Newly reinstated Tramaine Isabell saw extended court time and went 5-9 from the field for 13 points.
Also reinstated by head coach Kim Anderson this past week was Montaque Gill-Caesar, who scored 11 points on the afternoon. In the end the Razorbacks proved to be too much for the Tigers to handle as they’re dealt an 84-69 blow.
We saw some positives tonight from the Tigers despite the loss. The return of Isabell and his impact was a huge plus. Also seeing Gill-Caesar actually converting on some of his shots for once was an added bonus.
Negatives mainly include not getting enough production from the starters. After a 27-point outing Williams III shot a measly 4-11 from the field and had eight turnovers. Additionally better defense has to be played inside the paint as the Tigers gave up way to many second chance points.
Up next Missouri travels to Vanderbilt to take on the Commodores on Saturday.
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