MEMPHIS, Tenn. (KMIZ) Despite a dominant first half effort, the Mizzou men's basketball team could not hang on for a win in Monday night's season opener. Memphis came back from a 14-point deficit to win 83-75 at FedEx Forum.
Head coach Dennis Gates' crew came out of the gates strong on the scoring front, as the group shot 52 precent from the field in the first half. However, the Tigers shot just 33.3 percent from that range in the second half, ending the game shooting at a 45 percent clip.
Memphis did not have a single player get into double-digit scoring in the first half, as Colby Rogers led the charge with seven points in the first 20 minutes. However, the Tennessee Tigers came alive in the second to overcome as 14-point deficit. PJ Haggerty led the comeback, going off for 22 second half points.
On the flip side, the Mizzou scoring attack went silent in the second half, in comparison to the first. In the opening 20 minutes, Trent Pierce and Aidan Shaw put on a show for Tiger fans, combining for 19 points, while six of their teammates got in on the scoring effort, as well. But, in the second half the attack fell flat for Coach Gates' crew.
Overall, Gates' team got out-rebounded 37- 30. MU did end up winning the turnover battle, though, 14-16 Sophomore Anthony Robinson led the scoring attack with 16 points. Tamar Bates and Trent Pierce each followed him up with 13 points, while Aidan Shaw tallied 11 on the night.
Up next - Mizzou will return to Columbia for the home opener a.
