Missouri 77, Iowa St. 46

January 17, 2009

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Freshman Marcus Denmon scored a personal-best 16 points and hit three straight 3-pointers to help Missouri pull away from Iowa State in the second half of a 77-46 victory on Saturday.

Denmon was 4-for-6 from 3-point range and is 7-for-11 the last two games from long range for the Tigers (15-3, 2-1 Big 12), who won their 13th straight at home to tie the Mizzou Arena record. Zaire Taylor added 15 points and Leo Lyons had 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

Lyons was announced as a starter after serving a one-game suspension for the conference home-opening victory over Colorado on Wedneseday after a minor scrape with the law. But about a minute before tip-off, it was announced that Taylor would replace him in the lineup.

Missouri shot 52 percent from 3-point range, hitting a season-best 13 in only 25 attempts. Freshman Kim English was 3-for-4 and Keith Ramsey was 2-for-2. The Tigers shot 45 percent overall.

Justin Hamilton had 13 points and Diante Garrett 11 for Iowa State (12-6, 1-2), which had won five of its previous six. Craig Brackins was held to 10 points and seven rebounds after three consecutive 20-point, 10-rebound games.

Missouri was 9-for-11 from the field to start the second half, including 5-for-5 from 3-point range with three by Denmon, to take a commanding 53-30 lead with just over 11 minutes to play. Denmon's attempt at a fourth straight 3-pointer rolled out near the midway point of the second half.

Missouri offset 29 percent shooting in the first half by forcing 10 turnovers, leading by as many as 12 points and taking a 29-20 cushion into the break.

Taylor, who wasn't in the starting lineup until just before the opening tip-off, had nine points in the half. He totaled two points the last two games.