The Fighting Illini’s  dug the Tigers a hole too deep, earning Illinois their largest Braggin’ Rights win since 2005.

The crowd inside of the Enterprise Center in St. Louis was fairly even between Missouri men’s basketball and No. 13 Illinois supporters for the 54th edition of the Braggin’ Rights rivalry on Friday night. 

The game, however, was far from even, as Illinois rode a dominant first-half to a 97-73 victory over their border rivals. 

The Fighting Illini were led by a 30-point double-double from fifth year Terrence Shannon Jr. along with 28 points from graduate student Quincy Guerrier. 

Graduate student Noah Carter opened the game’s scoring with a post hook to put Missouri up 2-0 before Illinois senior Coleman Hawkins responded with a two-pointer of his own. The 20 seconds between the two baskets would prove to be the Tigers’ only stretch with the lead. 

Once Illinois was ahead, they quickly captured a commanding lead. The Fighting Illini found themselves ahead by 15 points at the nine-minute mark in the first half thanks to five three-pointers, which Missouri struggled to guard throughout the entirety of the first half. 

Along with success from behind the three-point line, Illinois also found success in transition, scoring eight fast break points in the first eight minutes. 

“We gotta limit our transition points,” graduate point guard Sean East II said. “They got a lot of transition points, so we gotta get back on defense … that’s where we can improve at.”

While Illinois seemed to live by the three in the first, hitting 50% of their attempts, Missouri died by it. The Tigers made just one of their 17 attempts from three in the half, ending the period shooting 23% from the field.

Shooting dominance would continue throughout the remainder of the half for Illinois, although most of their points in the final nine minutes came at the free throw line. Brad Underwood’s team got to the line 18 times in the first 20 minutes, converting on 13 attempts. 

“They shot close to 20 free throws in the first half,” Missouri head coach Dennis Gates said. “That generated their momentum.” 

Missouri could not get to the line nearly as often as their heavy three-point attack only allowed them five free throw attempts, of which they made three. 

“We’re not gonna ever win a game shooting five free throws in the first half and then shooting 1/17 from three,” Gates said. 

Coming out of halftime down 49-24, freshman Trent Pierce scored back-to-back baskets – the second of which being an and-one – to give the Tigers some life. While the game was filled with darkness for Missouri, Pierce proved to be a bright spot, as he scored a career-high 12 points in his first collegiate start.

“I thought he had a solid performance,” Gates said. “I’m definitely looking forward to the growth that he will have for the remainder of the season.”

East came alive soon after Pierce’s run, as he scored nine of the Tigers’ next 11 points. East would end the game with a team-high 18 points, his eighth game as Missouri’s leading scorer this year. 

Although Missouri shot a much improved 50% from three in the second half while managing to outscore Illinois by one point in the final 20 minutes, they never seriously threatened the Illini lead. Illinois earned its largest Braggin’ Rights since the 2005 edition, where they won by 32 points.  

“It’s just a tale of two halves,” Gates said. “We had the right shots going up in the first half … they were wide open. You can’t draw up a better play for those wide open threes.”

The Tigers will finish their non conference schedule inside of Mizzou Arena when they play host to Central Arkansas on Dec. 30. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

Edited by Quentin Corpuel | qcorpuel@themaneater.com 

Copy edited by Sterling Sewell | ssewell@themaneater.com