In a year of disappointing Missouri Tigers losses, this is the worst one.
— Carrington Harrison (@cdotharrison) March 16, 2013
Missouri invented another way to blow a late lead in the final five minutes of their game against Mississippi last night, falling 64-62 and exiting the SEC tournament.
The loss, simply, was brutal. After a made layup by Phil Pressey at the 10:54 mark of the second half, Ole Miss would outscore the Tigers 21-9 and leave with the two point win.
After several one-and-done possessions, turnovers, and poor defense, Missouri still had a chance to win the game with under a minute left. But the writing was on the wall for how this game would end.
How will Missouri lose this one with the ball, shot clock off, tied? I'm sure it's something I could never come up with.
— Jason Lisk (@JasonLisk) March 16, 2013
They would come up with something.
With 24 seconds left in the game and Missouri in-bounding, Laurence Bowers threw the ball away or a turnover. It appeared Pressey was not ready to start the play and Bowers threw the pass without looking to see if Pressey would be there. The turnover gave Mississippi all the time they needed to set up a play.
Mar 15, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels guard Derrick Millinghaus (3) celebrates after making the winning shot against the Missouri Tigers during the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. The Rebels beat the Tigers 64-62. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
It was a very Mizzou thing for Missouri to do.
Ole Miss would run down the clock before Missouri’s defense fell apart and allowed Millinghaus to cut straight to the hoop for a layup. The Tigers had one more chance to tie or take the lead but Missouri again was unable to run an in-bounds play, resulting in a turnover and the end of the game. Afterwords, the frustration boiled over.
"It wasn't me this time!!!!" -Phil Pressey
— Adam Keller (@ATKeller) March 16, 2013
Wait, people are now SURPRISED Missouri blew another one?
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) March 16, 2013
So Pressey finally hits that late game three … and Mizzou still loses. What a Mizzou thing to have happen.
— KC Kingdom (@KCKingdomFS) March 16, 2013
Missouri is still a lock to make the NCAA tournament but they seem destined for a nine or ten seed. All the Tigers can hope for now is good match ups and a little bit of luck.
They will still be considered a sleeper pick by most pundits.