Struggling Tigers hold off Elon, 78-73

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Johnathan Williams III and Keith Shamburger each scored 16 points for Missouri, which converted all eight of its free throw attempts in the final minute, to escape with a 78-73 win against Elon on Thursday.

After trailing for all but the first 24 seconds of the game, Elon used an 11-0 run to suddenly pull within 70-69 with 55.9 seconds remaining on a 3-pointer by Luke Eddy. After the teams traded points, Shamburger converted two free throws for a 74-71 lead with 26.6 seconds left.

Elon's Tanner Samson then missed a 3-point attempt, and Montaque Gill-Caesar and Shamburger each hit two more free throws for the Tigers to squelch the threat.

Eddy scored a career-high 27 points off the bench and Kevin Blake added 14 for Elon (5-4), which had a two-game winning streak against Southeastern Conference opponents snapped.

Elon entered the matchup having won its previous three games overall, averaging 114 points in wins against non-NCAA schools on Dec. 2 and Dec. 7. But the Phoenix struggled offensively against Missouri, shooting 24 of 67 from the field.

The Tigers, on the other hand, converted 13 of 22 shots in the opening half, including 6 of 9 from 3-point range, to take a 46-27 advantage at the break. Nine players scored for the team, which led at halftime for just the third time this season, including once against Division II opponent Chaminade.

Williams III has now led Missouri in scoring and rebounding for three consecutive games since experiencing soreness in his right knee against Chaminade in the Maui Invitational. He has averaged 16.7 points in that span and added eight rebounds Thursday.

Eddy, a sophomore from Charleston, West Virginia, entered the night averaging 11.9 points per game this season and has just two career starts for Elon. He finished 8 of 15 from the field and converted all eight of his free throw attempts.

The matchup represented the first meeting between the two schools, who scheduled the game before coach Frank Haith left Missouri for Tulsa during the offseason. Haith graduated from Elon in 1988 and served on its staff as an assistant from 1985 to 1989.

TIP-INS

Elon: The Phoenix allowed Missouri to shoot 23 of 51 overall, and its defense will be tested again as it continues its four-game road trip.

Missouri: After the Tigers lost 82-63 at Oklahoma on Dec. 5, Thursday's escape adds additional concern ahead of hosting Xavier on Saturday. Missouri also allowed 19 offensive rebounds, compared to nine of its own.

UP NEXT

Elon plays at Duke on Monday.

Missouri hosts Xavier on Saturday.