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National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Missouri 59, Western Kentucky 56
When: 3:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 3, 2016
Where: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Missouri
Officials: # Olandis Poole, # Brian Shey, # Sean Casey
Attendance: 4547

Cullen VanLeer made two free throws with 1.9 seconds left to help Missouri hang on to beat Western Kentucky 59-56 on Saturday in Columbia, Mo.

The Tigers led by one point when VanLeer was fouled after his rebound of Pancake Thomas' unsuccessful 3-point attempt for the Hilltoppers (3-6).

Freshman Frankie Hughes led Missouri (4-3) with 18 points. Justin Johnson scored 14 to lead the Hilltoppers.

Western Kentucky scored eight straight points to cut the Tigers' lead to one with 1:36 to play. VanLeer's free throws were the first Missouri points since the seven-minute mark.

The Hilltoppers led most of the first 20 minutes, but Missouri closed out the half with a 10-2 run that included two Hughes 3-pointers. The Tigers led 33-30 at halftime.

The two teams combined to make just eight of their 39 3-point attempts. The Tigers shot just 35 percent from the field, but they out-rebounded the Hilltoppers 44-30.

Western Kentucky has eight days off before a game at Indiana State. Missouri hosts Miami (Ohio) on Tuesday.
Top Game Performances
 
Western Kentucky   Missouri
Justin Johnson 14 Scoring Frankie Hughes 18
Junior Lomomba 6 Assists Terrence Phillips 5
Que Johnson 8 Rebounds Terrence Phillips 8
Justin Johnson 4 Free Throws Made Frankie Hughes 5
Tobias Howard 2 Steals Cullen VanLeer 3
Ben Lawson 3 Blocks Willie Jackson 1
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Western Kentucky 56 40.4 3-15 11-19 11 28 4 7 15
Missouri 59 35.1 5-24 14-21 10 40 1 10 17