COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri held off a late charge from No. 6 Illinois and overcame 36 points from Fighting Illini star Ayo Dosunmu for an 81-78 victory.
Mizzou has no answer for Dosunmu. He’s got 29 of Illinois’ 62. 7:51 remaining.
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladd0) December 13, 2020
The University of Missouri basketball team hustled early, with a 9-8 lead and increased that to 49-41 by halftime.
📹WATCH: #Mizzou leads #6 Illinois at the half thanks to three different tigers in double figures. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/T3jijqHAlz
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladd0) December 13, 2020
Dru Smith had 17 points, Javon Pickett had 14 points and five rebounds and the Tigers held on in the annual “Braggin’ Rights” rivalry game.
Missouri held on to its lead for its third straight win in the series.
Illinois trailed by 13 with nine minutes left but rallied to tie it before the Tigers closed out the upset.
Mizzou 80, Illinois 78
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladd0) December 13, 2020
:40.9 remaining pic.twitter.com/pcD3ClXHxE
Dosunmu set a career high in scoring on 13-of-20 shooting, and Kofi Cockburn had 19 points with six rebounds for Illinois. Andre Curbelo added in 14 points off the bench.
41 Action News sports reporter Aaron Ladd contributed to this report.
