By Greg DeVries
Sports writer
The Baylor Bears suffered their second consecutive loss at the hands of the Missouri Tigers, 88-89. This was the Bears’ first home loss of the season, which puts them at 17-2 overall and 4-2 in Big 12 play.
Defense was the story in this game despite the high score. The Bears’ allowed Missouri to shoot 54.5% from the field on 30 made baskets. In the second half, the Tigers made nearly 64% of their shot attempts. Baylor set up in many different defensive looks, but Missouri was able to penetrate and score despite the scheme.
“Missouri seemed to have all of the answers,” said coach Scott Drew after the game.
The Bears expected to have an advantage in the post, but Missouri’s Ricardo Ratliffe played well enough to swing the advantage in the other direction, finishing with 27 points and 8 rebounds.
“Our whole goal was to try and get the ball at him and get him in foul trouble,” said Drew about Ratliffe.
Rebounding was another upsetting element to the game for the Bears.
“[Rebounding] was the difference in the game,” Quincy Acy said. “Penetration killed us.”
Quincy Miller finished the game with 29 points, a career high for him. He was not so quick to celebrate.
“I don’t like losing. At all,” Miller said with an angry tone after the game.
Pierre Jackson got his first start of the season. He finished with 20 points and 15 assists.
The Bears’ next game is at Oklahoma on January 24th.
Coach Drew added, “Our guys are winners. They’ll be ready to bounce back.”
