Less than three hours before tipoff of the 45th edition of the Braggin’ Rights matchup between Missouri and Illinois, the Tigers were faced with adversity.
Mizzou learned it would be without senior forward Jevon Porter. Adding onto already expected absences from junior forward Trent Pierce and graduate guard Jayden Stone, the Tigers would have big gaps to fill as they took on No. 20 Illinois.
They struggled with Porter and Pierce’s absence down-low, ultimately losing their rivalry matchup 91-48 on
Monday in St. Louis.
Junior guard Anthony Robinson shined as one of the bright spots for Mizzou’s offense, especially early, putting up 12 points including the first nine team points. With less than 10 minutes left in the second half, Robinson took a fall and ultimately limped back to the locker room adding salt to an already rough day for Missouri. Lucky for Mizzou fans, he was able to return later in the second half.
With 10 minutes left in the first half, the score was neck and neck. It felt like the Illini would make a go-ahead shot, then the Tigers had always had a response.
With nine minutes left before the break, the game took a turn.
Despite one of its stars, Andrej Stojakovic — son of NBA legend Peja Stojakovic — leaving the game with a slight limp, Illinois went on a 20-7 run to end the half putting the No. 20 team in the country in firm position to win the contest. Highlighted by a 10 minute, 10 rebound and three block first half from 7’2 junior Zvonimir Ivisic, Illinois (9-3) looked unstoppable.
Zvonimir and his twin brother, Tomislav, who also towers over the 7-foot mark, left Missouri (10-3) with no free buckets in the paint, and on the other side of the court, it wasn’t much different. The Tigers troubled to challenge the Illini around the paint, allowing 8-for-15 shooting inside the 3-point line in the first half. There was no slowing down in the second half as Illinois continued to dominate.
Illinois capitalized on its 3-point play too, finishing the game with 15 3-pointers made on 33 shots following a first half shooting 7-for-15 from deep. Freshman Keaton Wagler — who ranked as the No. 1 player in Kansas in his recruiting class — led the way finishing with 22 points including five 3-pointers. The freshman shot 5-for-6 from the 3-point line on the day.
From the moment the second half started, momentum was in favor of Illinois. Stojakovic returned from injury and Illinois hit three quick 3-pointers to add salt into the wound. Freshman David Mirkovic hit his first three of the contest and Zvonimir Ivisic got in on the party with a pair of 3-pointers himself. With about 15 minutes left in the second half, Illinois extended its lead to 23 points.
Aside from back-to-back layups from senior forward Mark Mitchell, he struggled to get things going. Normally Mizzou’s top scorer — averaging over 18 points a game — the senior ended with just just 5 points on 2-for-6 shooting.
Junior guard Sebastian Mack, although too little too late, had a strong second half, finishing the game with a team-high 17 points shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the line.
A 16-6 run over the first eight minutes of the second half continued growing the Illini’s lead as the clocks counted closer to zeros.
The Tigers are back in action after the New Year as they’ll take on No. 22 Florida on Jan. 3 in Columbia.
