Forced with a "win or drastically alter your expectations" situation, Missouri played perhaps its best half of the season, outscoring Alabama, 37-17, in the second half and turning a tight game into a runaway win. Jabari Brown led the way with 24 points on just nine field goal attempts, and the entire Missouri backcourt took turns on Alabama's Trevor Releford, holding him to 10 points on 4-for-16 shooting. Mizzou had by far its best ball-handling game in a while, forcing 15 Alabama turnovers while committing just seven and recording nine steals to Alabama's two.
In honor of Jabari Brown's great play today I won't smile until the next game.
— Rock M Nation (@rockmnation) January 18, 2014
Johnathan Williams III was once again a beast on the glass; the freshman grabbed 14 rebounds (12 on defense) and tossed in nine points on 4-for-6 shooting. Jordan Clarkson, out most of the first half with two fouls, scored 16 points with five steals.
Wow, did Missouri need this. The Tigers hadn't played a single good game since the calendar year began and had dropped two of three against some of the worst teams on the conference slate. They showed defensive intensity throughout and upped the ante considerably in the second half. They'll have a chance to move to 3-2 in conference play on Tuesday against LSU.