The Missouri Tigers squared off against a former longtime conference foe Monday at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., but fell short to the Kansas State Wildcats in the semifinal round of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic. K-State took the contest by a score of 66-42.
Defense was the story of the first half, as both teams shot under 30 percent from the floor (K-State – 29.0; Mizzou – 18.5). Both teams also managed just one made three-pointer apiece. Mizzou had players get into early foul trouble, putting K-State into the penalty less than 10 minutes into the half. The Wildcats took advantage and carried a 31-14 lead into halftime.
Both offenses started to get things going in the second period, but it was the Wildcats who converted most of their chances. Senior Justin Edwards keyed most of the offensive effort, finishing the night with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Kansas State also benefitted from an impressive performance by freshman forward Dean Wade, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Wade made two three-pointers and was a perfect 6-of-6 at the free throw line on the night.
No Tigers finished in double figures on the night as they struggled all game to get an offensive rhythm.  Freshman forward Kevin Puryear led the team in scoring with nine points, going 4-of-9 from the field. Freshmen guards Terrence Phillips and Cullen VanLeer each added six points of their own.
With the win, the Wildcats move on to the championship round Tuesday night against the No. 9 North Carolina Tar Heels at the Sprint Center at approximately 9 p.m.
Before the championship game, the Tigers will face the Northwestern Wildcats in the third-place matchup at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcasted live on KCOU.