For just the second time this season, the Missouri Tigers played outside of Mizzou Arena. It also ended in defeat, this time to the Fighting Illini of Illinois 80-77 in the annual Braggin’ Rights game Sunday, Dec. 22 in St Louis.

Mizzou scored the first five points of the game before Illinois went on a 13-3 run, resulting in the Tigers chasing their Big Ten neighbors the rest of the game. Mizzou did claim a four-point lead late in the first with a Mark Mitchell layup and free throw, but Illinois completed a 13-4 run to close the half with a 37-32 lead.

Illinois led by as much as ten in the second half, but Mizzou closed the gap and even took the lead with 4:13 remaining. However, the Illini would get the lead back, only allowing the Tigers to tie twice the rest of the way. The Illini made all but the last of their 23 free throw attempts; the lone miss allowed Mizzou to set up a game-tying three point shot at the buzzer, but Jacob Crews’ jumper was off-target.

Freshman Kasparias Jakucionis led Illinois with 21 points, including three-of-seven from three-point range and all eight of his free throws. Three other Illini were in double-figures, including Tomislav Ivisic with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Three Tigers were in double-figures, wityh Tony Perkins and Mark Mitchell each scoring 18 points, while Tamar Bates added 17. The usually stout Tigers’ bench contributed 22 points, compared to Illinois’ 16.

Mizzou are now 10-2 on the season. Their non-conference finale is at Mizzou Arena a week from Monday against Alabama State.