Much was made about the absence of senior forward Laurence Bowers – and rightfully so – when Ole Miss and Missouri met the first time.
Bowers, a Memphis native, was averaging 16.1 points and 6.8 rebounds then. The Ole Miss game was the first of five straight he would miss with an MCL (knee) sprain.
He’s played in Missouri’s last three games, starting all three, but has been less productive.
He’s still good when he catches the ball in position, shooting 54.5 percent (12-for-22) against LSU, Auburn and Texas A&M, but his averages have dipped to. 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds.
His minutes have declined with each game as well. He played 32 minutes when Missouri lost at LSU, 20 at home against Auburn and 12 last night at A&M.
Athletic guard Jabari Brown, 6-5, hurt Ole Miss in the first game with 13 points and seven rebounds.
Missouri was just 2-for-18 from 3-point range, 11.1 percent. It remains the Tigers’ worst 3-point game of the season.
Point guard Phil Pressey, the SEC’s assist leader, was 0-for-4 from 3 in that game. He had five assists but also had five turnovers.
Denham Springs, La., native, Mississippian since 1989 with a stop in Meridian before arriving in Tupelo. Daily Journal beat writer since 1996, covering Ole Miss since 2002. Proud Northeast Louisiana alum. Follow me on Twitter @parrishalford and listen to Kory Keys and myself daily with The Ole Miss Beat on Rebel Sports Radio.
