National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Missouri 97, Northern Illinois 61
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, December 27, 2010
Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Missouri
Officials: # Kipp Kissinger, # Randy McCall, # Terry Moore
Attendance: 10776

Marcus Denmon scored a game-high 24 points to lead five players in double figures and No. 10 Missouri scored the first 17 points on Monday night and rolled to an easy 97-61 non-conference win over Northern Illinois in Columbia, Mo.

The win was the seventh straight for the Tigers (12-1) and the 100th at Missouri for fifth-year head coach Mike Anderson, who has the Tigers off to their best start since 1991-92.

After racing to a 17-0 lead five minutes into the game and forcing five early turnovers, Missouri used another 20-4 run midway through the first half en route to a 57-17 halftime lead over the outmanned Huskies. The 57 points and 40-point lead were season-bests for the Tigers, who shot 65.7 percent from the floor in the opening half.

Denmon, who has hit double figures in 10 straight games, equaled a career-high with five 3-pointers and was 9-11 from the field. Joining Denmon in double digits were Matt Pressey, who scored a career-high 18, Laurence Bowers had 16, Ricardo Ratliffe added 14, and Justin Safford came off the bench to chip in 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Mizzou finished the game hitting 57 percent from the field.

Northern Illinois (3-7), which has lost three straight, was led by Tim Toler’s 13 points. Xavier Silas, the nation’s second leading scorer averaging 26.2 points, was held to a season-low 11 as Missouri’s defense held the Colorado transfer to 3-13 shooting.

Top Game Performances
 
Northern Illinois   Missouri
Tim Toler 13 Scoring Marcus Denmon 24
Michael Patton 4 Assists Michael Dixon Jr. 8
Lee Fisher 7 Rebounds Justin Safford 8
Jeremy Landers 4 Free Throws Made Laurence Bowers 6
Xavier Silas 2 Steals Michael Dixon Jr. 4
N/A Blocks Ricardo Ratliffe 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Northern Illinois 61 31.8 3-23 16-23 11 36 0 6
Missouri 97 56.9 6-21 17-27 26 38 6 13