Mizzou's guard play leads to victory

November 15, 2011 at 4:00 a.m. | Updated November 15, 2011 at 4:00 a.m.

Missouri's Phil Pressey (in white) gets fouled by Mercer's Langston Hall on a drive to the basket during the first half of Monday night's game in Columbia.
Missouri's Phil Pressey (in white) gets fouled by Mercer's Langston Hall on a drive to the basket during the first half of Monday night's game in Columbia.

COLUMBIA -- Mercer University had two advantages on paper heading into Monday's game against Missouri.

The Bears had 17 players compared to 10 for Missouri, and had three players at least 6-9.

Thanks to Missouri's guards, none of that mattered.

Four Missouri guards combined for 66 points in an 81-63 win over Mercer in an opening-round game of the CBE Classic at Mizzou Arena.

How did the smaller Tigers do it? Quickness, for one thing.

"Speed on the offensive end as well as the defensive end contributes to that," Michael Dixon said.

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