Minus Bowers, Tigers look for others to step up

January 16, 2013 at 4:01 a.m. | Updated January 16, 2013 at 4:01 a.m.

Alex Oriakhi of Missouri pulls down a rebound past Devonta Pollard of Alabama during a game last week at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers are counting on Oriakhi to give more consistent efforts, starting with tonight's home game against Georgia.
Alex Oriakhi of Missouri pulls down a rebound past Devonta Pollard of Alabama during a game last week at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers are counting on Oriakhi to give more consistent efforts, starting with tonight's home game against Georgia.

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Through the first 15 games of the season, Missouri has won games largely on the strength of the play of Phil Pressey and Laurence Bowers.

Now, Missouri is hoping to see a more consistent effort across the board as it prepares for today's home game against Georgia (7 p.m., KMIZ-TV).

That need for consistency starts in the front court with Alex Oriakhi. The Tigers will be without their leading scorer, Bowers, for the second straight game with a sprained MCL.

"Without Laurence, he's got to be the guy we get production out of on a consistent basis, particularly in the paint," Missouri coach Frank Haith said of Oriakhi. "We're going to really go to work on that in the next couple of days."

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