Kleiza hits career high in Tigers victory

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Linas Kleiza stopped shooting 3-pointers and started driving, helping Missouri end a three-game losing streak.

Kleiza gave the Tigers an inside presence that has been lacking, getting a career-high 31 points and 10 rebounds in an 80-70 victory over Nebraska on Saturday. He had totaled 24 points the last two games in an offense that was overly dependent on the long-range shot.

"The last couple of games I've been a little soft in there," Kleiza said. "I've just got to go in and be strong, make the referees make those calls."

Kleiza didn't look soft to Nebraska.

"Their best player is one the best players in the league," Cornhuskers coach Barry Collier said. "He's done that consistently for them.

"At the same time, we've got to be concerned that our inside is so porous."

Thomas Gardner added 17 points, and Jimmy McKinney had 13 for Missouri (10-8, 2-3 Big 12), which had lost the last two games by a combined 36 points. Missouri has beaten Nebraska 10 straight times at home, and coach Quin Snyder is 10-2 against the Cornhuskers.

Snyder wasn't doing much celebrating. After a 16-point loss to Texas Tech on Wednesday, he intimated that players gave up.

"I don't think they're like fat cats," Snyder said. "The other night we looked afraid and kind of shellshocked at times.

"I think you've kind of got to walk that line of being really willing to smack them but at the same time let them know we did something really well."

Missouri, which shot a season-best 54 percent and had a decided edge at the free-throw line, hasn't had a four-game losing streak since the 1997-98 season. The Tigers were 26-for-31 at the line, while Nebraska (8-7, 2-3)was 8-for-10.

Joe McCray had 16 points and reserve Aleks Maric had 14 for Nebraska (8-7, 2-3), which failed to capitalize on a two-point loss at No. 2 Kansas on Wednesday. The Cornhuskers had been allowing a Big 12-best 59 points per game.

"Anytime you give up 80 points, I think it's going to be a concern," forward John Turek said. "I think we've just got to work and make sure we're finding guys and not losing guys in transition."

McCray and Missouri point guard Jason Horton clashed briefly at the end of the game before being restrained by coaches. Missouri had been running out the clock when McCray tried for a steal.

Kleiza had seven points in an 18-5 run that started with Missouri leading by a point with 12:28 to play. Kleiza and Gardner had three-point plays and Horton hit a 3-pointer to help the Tigers take a 70-56 lead with 4:24 left.

It was the second straight double double and fourth of the season for Kleiza, who was 8-for-12 from the field and 15-for-17 from the line. His previous career best was 26 points Dec. 11 against Montana.

The last two games, Missouri had been 9-for-46 from 3-point range. Kleiza was just as guilty as the rest of the roster, going 2-for-12.

"I think the last couple of games I went outside too much, shot too many 3s," Kleiza said. "I got to the line today, that's a big difference.

"When I get to the line, I'm very successful."

McCray, who entered the game tied for the Big 12 3-point lead, was 3-for-10 from long range to set a school freshman record with 47, breaking the mark of 44 by Eric Piatkowski in 1990-91.

Gardner had 12 points in a seesaw first half and his 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Missouri a 38-37 lead.

Missouri led by 11 points after a 12-0 run made it 19-8 with 11:24 left and Nebraska led by four points after Wilkinson's follow dunk with 19.2 seconds to go. But Wilkinson drew a technical for hanging on the rim and Missouri scored the last five points in the half.

Notes: Kleiza's run of 18 straight free throws over four games ended late in the first half. ... Devin West, who holds school records for yards rushing in a game and a season, was among a class of six inductees into the school's hall of fame. Others honored were men's basketball player Al Abram, track stars Rebecca Davis and Charlie McMullen, and two-sport athletes Sonny Siebert and Ray Thorpe. Abram was the first black player at the school in 1958. ... Missouri is 9-0 when leading at halftime.