Denmon scores 28 to lead Missouri
NEW YORK (AP)
Missouri was No. 25 in the preseason poll. The Tigers have moved into the top 10 and are playing as though they mean to stay up there.
''The Mizzou brand was on the national scene tonight,'' first-year coach Frank Haith said. ''And the lights are bright, very bright here in New York. We had an opportunity on national TV against a good team.''
The country should be impressed.
Marcus Denmon had his second straight strong game from 3-point range, this time making six and scoring 28 points in an 81-71 victory over Villanova in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
''There was a lid on the basket for a little while,'' Denmon said. ''We kept the ball moving and started making some shots.''
The 6-foot-3 senior guard made seven 3s while scoring a career-high 31 points in the Tigers' last game against Northwestern State. He came into the game averaging 20.6 points and 3.3 3-pointers. On Tuesday, he was 6 of 10 from 3-point range, making all three attempts in the first 7:41 of the second half when Missouri (8-0) opened a 16-point lead.
Ricardo Ratliffe added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Tigers, who last started a season with eight straight wins in 2006-07. Kim English had 15 points for Missouri, which cracked the top 10 this week.
The Tigers shot 42.4 percent from the field (28 of 66), well off the 52.5 percent they were at entering the game, a mark that is fourth nationally.
''We talk about finding ways to win when we don't shoot the ball well,'' Haith said. ''I think this is the first night we didn't shoot the ball well. We played defense and rebounded. Those will be the keys to our success.''
Maalik Wayns had 14 points and freshman Darrun Hilliard added 13 for the Wildcats (5-3), who have lost three of four.
The Wildcats used a 10-0 run capped by a 3 by Dominic Cheek to get within 61-55 with 9:52 left. They got as close as six once more, 68-62 on a rebound basket by JayVaughn Pinkston with 6:01 to play, but the Tigers went on a 7-1 run with Ratliffe, Denmon and English all scoring.
''It's no surprise at how good a team they were,'' Villanova coach Jay Wright said. ''We were trying to scrap and fight to keep it close and steal it at the end. They have so many answers and they are so intelligent. Their guards are good. That is a well-coached team.''
Missouri outscored Villanova 24-8 in fast-break points and that was a credit to point guard Phil Pressey, who had eight points and 12 assists - many when the Tigers took off after grabbing the rebound of a Villanova miss.
CHEERS TO YOU
They're part of the magic every season. Enjoy our photo-gallery tribute to college basketball cheerleaders.''It's Phil,'' Ratliffe said of his point guard, who gave him a behind-the-back pass for a dunk. ''He's got eyes, not only in the back of his head but in the side of his head, everywhere else. As soon as he drives I get my hands ready.''
It was Villanova's sixth straight loss in a game against a ranked team.
''It's a 40-minute game and we probably played well for 33 minutes against a great team,'' Wayns said. ''Those minutes are going to cost you. All you can do is go to practice and try and get better.''
Denmon scored 12 points in the final 9:20 of the first half as Missouri took a 42-29 lead. His 3-pointer with 6:12 left in the first half gave the Tigers the lead for good, 24-21. Villanova managed just eight points over the final 9:20 of the half when Missouri outscored the Wildcats 23-8.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Skier dies after falling 2,000 feet
A Finnish man died after falling about 2,000 feet into a crevasse while skiing on Ala... -
Knicks guard J.R. Smith arrested
Miami Beach police say a New York Knicks player has been arrested on a bench warrant ... -
In general, Shaq not suited for GM job
Successful general managers have qualities Shaq lacks. -
Celtics G Bradley out for season
Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley is done for the season. -
Sources: Jones, O's near megadeal
The Orioles, building on their early season momentum, are close to signing center fie...
NCAA BK Videos
Watch highlights of former Connecticut big man Andre Drummond.
President Barack Obama congratulates the national champion Kentucky Wildcats bas...
Watch highlights of former Duke guard Austin Rivers.
NCAA BK Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas UCLA Bruins True Blue Layup Flex Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_UCLA_Bruins/browse/featuredproduct/664512/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_664000/ff_664512_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | adidas UCLA Bruins True Blue Layup Flex Hat |
| Nike Washington Huskies Purple Aerographic Performance Swoosh Flex Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Washington_Huskies/browse/featuredproduct/669771/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_669000/ff_669771_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Nike Washington Huskies Purple Aerographic Performance Swoosh Flex Hat |
| Nike Arizona Wildcats #33 Elite Replica Aerographic Basketball Jersey - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Arizona_Wildcats/browse/featuredproduct/676559/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_676000/ff_676559_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | Nike Arizona Wildcats #33 Elite Replica Aerographic Basketball Jersey - Navy Blu.. |
| Nike Duke Blue Devils #30 Elite Aerographic Replica Basketball Jersey - Black | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Duke_Blue_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/676562/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_676000/ff_676562_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | Nike Duke Blue Devils #30 Elite Aerographic Replica Basketball Jersey - Black |
| Nike Florida Gators #1 Hyper Elite Platinum Basketball Jersey - Dark Gray | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/688826/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_688000/ff_688826_xl.jpg&w=100 | 119.95 | Nike Florida Gators #1 Hyper Elite Platinum Basketball Jersey - Dark Gray |
| Kansas Jayhawks 2012 Big 12 Men\'s Basketball Champions T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Kansas_Jayhawks/browse/featuredproduct/823260/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_823000/ff_823260_xl.jpg&w=100 | 18.95 | Kansas Jayhawks 2012 Big 12 Men\'s Basketball Champions T-Shirt - Royal Blue |

Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.