Unbeaten Mizzou wins in Mexico

~ The Tigers held off Wyoming 72-62 in the Cancun Challenge

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -- Life in the top 25 hasn't been easy for No. 11 Missouri.

The Tigers, ranked to start the season for the first time since 2003, struggled to escape with a five-point win in their season opener against Western Illinois and didn't pull away from North Florida until the final eight minutes Saturday.

They were grinding again against Wyoming on Tuesday in the semifinals of the Cancun Challenge.

Sophomore Mike Dixon scored a career-high 17 points, handed out six assists and came up with a key loose ball in Missouri's 72-62 victory at the Aventura Spa Palace.

"We got the job done. It wasn't the prettiest thing," Missouri coach Mike Anderson said. "But at the same time, I thought we dug when we had to."

He watched his team commit a season-high 20 turnovers, shoot a season-low 38 percent from the field against Wyoming's zone defense and send the Cowboys to the foul line for 30 free throws.

But the Tigers (3-0) overcame it all to advance to today's championship game against La Salle. The Explorers reached the final by beating Providence 84-73 in Tuesday's other semifinal.

Wyoming (2-3) picked up its play in the second half and reduced a 15-point halftime deficit to 59-57 after Francisco Cruz's jumper with 4 minutes, 22 seconds remaining.

Junior Laurence Bowers missed a layup on Missouri's next possession, and a scramble ensued for the loose ball. Dixon squirted in from the top of the key to come up with it and reset the offense.

Marcus Denmon wound up with an open 3-pointer off a kickout pass from Kim English and he knocked it down to end a near four-minute scoring drought and put the Tigers ahead 62-57.

"There was a minute there where they were coming back -- I think they got within two and that was the ice-breaker," Bowers said. "I think from that play on, we knew, 'Man, this team has got to play, and we've got to play more with a sense of urgency."'

The Cowboys never drew closer than four points the rest of the way.

Junior Kim English finished with 11 points.

Missouri was 10 of 12 from the foul line. Wyoming was 19 of 30.