This game seemed personal, and it was chippy at times, but Missouri basketball was the better team throughout, and the Tigers left St. Louis with a 63-56 victory over border state Illinois on Saturday in the Braggin’ Rights game.
Missouri defeated Illinois by taking away what its rival does best. Missouri was the better rebounding team. The Tigers out-rebounded their opponents 36-32, and collected 13 offensive boards.
They now have won three games in a row since an embarrassing home loss to Charleston Southern earlier this season. Missouri is 7-4 with two more nonconference games remaining, including a West Virginia game in late January.