MU runs winning streak to four

By STEVE WALENTIK of the Tribune's staff

Published on columbiatribune.com Saturday, January 24, 2009

Julia Robinson photo

Missouri's Zaire Taylor, left, and Texas Tech's John Roberson, right, scramble for a loose ball in the first half. Texas Tech turned the ball over 17 times in the first half. Missouri scored 35 points on Tech turnovers during the game.

•	Slide show: Missouri 97, Texas Tech 86

Texas Tech became the latest visitors to be mowed down by the Missouri basketball team at Mizzou Arena.

DeMarre Carroll scored 27 points, and J.T. Tiller had a career-high seven steals to help the Tigers claim a 97-86 victory over the Red Raiders this afternoon in front of a season-high crowd of 13,357.

Julia Robinson photo

DeMarre Carroll dunks during the first half.

Missouri (17-3, 4-1 Big 12) improved to 13-0 at home this season and equaled its best Big 12 Conference start since its Elite Eight season of 2002.

Carroll scored 16 of his points in the second half, including seven in the final 6½ minutes after Texas Tech, which trailed by as many as 18 points, closed within 77-70 on a 3-pointer by Alan Voskuil with 6:38 remaining.

He finished the game shooting 10 for 16 from the field and made 7 of 13 free throws to come within two points of the career high he set earlier this season in a victory over Southern California in Puerto Rico.

Carroll was one of four Tigers who finished in double figures.

Freshman Marcus Denmon scored 14 points, including seven straight in the final five minutes, making amends for the intentional foul he committed in the closing minutes of Wednesday night’s narrow victory against Oklahoma State.

Fellow rookie Kim English scored 13 points and helped the Tigers get off to a quick start in their first game after that emotional victory. His second 3-pointer put Missouri ahead 10-1 less than three minutes into the game, and the Tigers never trailed.

Senior Leo Lyons only played three minutes in the second half, but he was important in the first, scoring 12 points in 10 minutes. He made eight straight free throws, and the Red Raiders couldn’t defend him without fouling.

Tiller led the Tigers on the defensive end, blocking a shot by John Roberson on the game’s opening possession and picking up seven of the Tigers’ season-high 20 steals. Missouri forced 29 turnovers—almost twice what the Texas Tech had averaged in its first 18 games.

MU forced 17 turnovers in the first half as it opened up a 53-41 lead at intermission.

Reach Steve Walentik at (573) 815-1788 or swalentik@tribmail.com.