National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Missouri 66, Bucknell 64
When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, January 5, 2013
Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Missouri
Officials: # Rick Hartzell, # Brian Shey, # Ted Valentine
Attendance: 13856
By SportsDirect Inc.

No. 12 Missouri 66, Bucknell 64: Phil Pressey scored 19 of his 26 points in the second half as the Tigers fought off a tough challenge from the visiting Bison to keep their home winning streak alive.

Laurence Bowers collected 16 points and eight rebounds and Alex Oriakhi added nine and seven for Missouri (11-2), which has won 73 straight home games against non-conference competition.

Mike Muscala recorded 25 points and 14 boards while Cameron Ayers scored 13 for Bucknell (13-3).

Muscala scored 16 points in the first half to help the Bison take a 28-24 lead into the break. The senior cooled off in the second period but tipped in an offensive rebound that kept Bucknell ahead 49-46 with 7:19 remaining.

The Bison held a four-point edge when Pressey began to take control, scoring seven points during a 9-2 run that put the Tigers on top 60-57 with 2:58 to play. Muscala’s layup cut it to 64-63 with 13 seconds left and Pressey missed the front end of a one-and-one to give Bucknell another chance, but Muscala turned it over with four seconds left.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Missouri begins its first season of Southeastern Conference play by hosting Alabama on Tuesday. … Tigers F Jabari Brown and G Earnest Ross went a combined 2-for-18 from the floor. … The Bison will start Patriot League play by hosting Army next Saturday.
Top Game Performances
 
Bucknell   Missouri
Mike Muscala 25 Scoring Phil Pressey 26
Mike Muscala 4 Assists Phil Pressey 5
Mike Muscala 14 Rebounds Laurence Bowers 8
Mike Muscala 5 Free Throws Made Phil Pressey 3
Cameron Ayers 1 Steals Jabari Brown 2
Mike Muscala 2 Blocks Laurence Bowers 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Bucknell 64 41.9 7-16 5-11 14 35 4 2 12
Missouri 66 42.9 5-13 7-12 8 38 3 5 8