Missouri road struggles continue; Tigers lose practice game against Shawnee Mission East JV boys

PRAIRIE VILLAGE – The Missouri Tigers suffered their most embarrassing setback of the season on Monday morning, losing to the Shawnee Mission East junior varsity squad 54-52 in a game designed to get the Tigers back on track for the Big 12 tournament, which starts Wednesday.

The Tigers, who have lost three straight heading into the tournament and went 1-7 on the road in Big 12 play, are using the Lancers' gym to practice before the start of the Big 12 tournament. But things took an unexpected turn when the Tigers agreed to a scrimmage, then got off to a slow start against the SM East JV team. The Missouri players found themselves stunned when Kim English’s last-second 3-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer.

The Lancers celebrated the win before heading off to first period.

“We just can’t seem to get a win on the road,” said Tigers coach Mike Anderson. “I mean, come on. The only reason we played this game was to get our confidence back up away from our own court. They varsity team wasn’t even available. It was either this, or the girl’s freshman team. I guess I should have played the girls.”

The Lancers JV team committed 20 turnovers against Missouri’s full court pressure defense, but the Tigers converted those turnovers into just nine points. Danny Timlin, who averaged four points per game during the season for the Lancers, scored 21 points, including five 3 pointers.

“This was so awesome,” said Timlin, a 15-year-old sophomore who missed warm ups because his mom was late dropping him off. “I mean, I guess it’s just the Tigers and it wasn’t on their court, so it’s not like you can get too excited, but this is awesome.”

English, who made three of his last 20 field goals in Big 12 play, went 1 for 13 against the Lancers, but didn’t hesitate to take the 3-pointer, despite facing a double-team.

“I’m a shooter, and they always say that when you’re in a slump, you have to shoot your way out,” said English. “Wait, is that a basketball saying? Maybe I heard that wrong.”