Despite another slow start offensively from Myck Kabongo and J'Covan Brown, the Texas Longhorns have managed to maintain contact with No. 3 Missouri the entire first half.
Texas is down 39-32 after the game's first twenty minutes.
Missouri, one of the most explosive teams in the nation, was powered by hot shooting from Phil Pressey and Kim English who combined to go 12-16 from the field. The two combined for as many points (32) as the entire Longhorns roster.
With Brown and Kabongo struggling against the Tigers long and athletic perimeter defenders, Texas received a big offensive boost from their front-line. Freshman Jonathan Holmes, filling in for the injured Alexis Wangmene, gave the Longhorns 8 points and 3 bounds while Clint Chapman continued his strong play, with 7 points and 5 offensive rebounds.
Missouri's undersized front-line of the 6'6 English and 6'8 Ricardo Ratliffe are struggling to control their defensive backboards, so if Texas can stop turning the ball over they'll have a real opportunity to get back into the game.