The Mizzou Wheelchair Basketball team competed for the first time in two years on Friday and Saturday. After going ½ on Friday, Mizzou looked for a flawless day Saturday morning, and they were flawless in their execution.
Mizzou’s first game at the historic Brewer Fieldhouse was electric. The Tigers pounced on the Southwest Minnesota State Mustangs. Colin Higgins set the tone for the game with a quick five points, he had 29 when it was all said and done.
Mizzou never trailed at any point in this game, although never possessing a double-digit lead till after halftime.
SMSU’s Walter Johnson gave it his all in this game, he had nearly half of SMSU’s total score. The high volume scorer put 32 points in an 81-65 loss. His only teammate to reach double figures was Troy Beckford with 13.
Lee Melymick and Zach Steger had 20 and 16 points respectively to aid Higgins’ big game at the Fieldhouse. Mizzou moved on to the championship round of the tournament to face the Auburn Tigers.
Auburn and Mizzou had met prior in this tournament, Friday night Mizzou got the best of the first matchup, winning 74-68. Auburn bounced back in Day 2 with a down to the wire finish over UT-Arlington, 67-64, and now the rematch was set.
Higgins once again put a spark in Mizzou’s offense with 10 points in the first 5 minutes. Higgins has 25 of Mizzou’s 40 first-half points, Auburn trailing by 12, 40-28.
Auburn’s Jake Eastwood kept Auburn close with 29 points, but Higgins and Lee Melymick were too much. Both players were nearly automatic from the field, Higgins had 36 while Melymick had 21.
Mizzou’s 75-63 clinched the sweep, their next tournament takes place Feb. 4-5, at the Historic Brewer FieldHouse, opponents N/A at the moment.