Oklahoma State leads by two at halftime
For two teams that love to run-and-gun and turn games into offensive shootouts, No. 3 Missouri and No. 7 Oklahoma State are waging an intense defensive battle here at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. The first twenty minutes were non-stop, back-and-forth, and extremely physical.
Missouri trails Oklahoma State, 23-21, at halftime.
The teams are a combined 17-of-61 from the field (27.9 percent), and a combined 2-of-25 from three-point range. Almost every shot here tonight has included either contact or a challenging defender.
If there is one advantage Missouri has after halftime, it's Oklahoma State's attrition. Oklahoma State senior guard Byron Eaton, a catalyst for the OSU offense, left the game with an ankle injury and has not returned. Two of Oklahoma State's most important cogs - forward James Anderson and guard Terrel Harris - each have three fouls. With the Cowboys playing their third game in as many days and several players in foul trouble or hurt, Missouri's depth and freshness could determine the second half.
Zaire Taylor leads Missouri with 10 points.