After a pair of tough defeats, the Missouri men's basketball team will look to get back on track this afternoon when they host the Lipscomb Bison at Mizzou Arena.
Missouri (5-7) and Lipscomb (5-8) are slated for a 4 p.m. start (SEC Network-TV).
In their last two games, the Tigers dropped a 62-59 decision to Illinois on a last-second 3-pointer in St. Louis, then fell 74-72 in overtime to Oklahoma State on Tuesday in Kansas City.
Johnathan Williams III scored a career-high 22 points against Oklahoma State. The sophomore has reached double digits 10 times this season, including the last six games. In those last six contests, Williams is averaging 17.3 points.
Montaque Gill-Caesar finished with 15 points in the game against Oklahoma State. It's his eighth double-digit scoring contest in his freshman season.
Missouri has had nearly 65 percent of its game-minutes played by either freshmen or sophomores this season.
Lipscomb, a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference, enters this afternoon's game having lost three of its last four games. The lone win in the stretch came against Austin Peay (69-63) on Dec. 21.
It was the second win against Austin Peay this season for Lipscomb, adding to a 68-59 victory Dec. 13.
Among Lipscomb's losses this season are decisions against Vanderbilt (72-62), Colorado (84-75) and Texas (106-61).
In all five of Lipscomb's wins this season, the Bison have held their opponents to 70 points or less.
Josh Williams, a 6-foot-5 sophomore guard, is averaging 14.6 points per game to lead the Bison. He also tops the team in rebounds and steals.
Missouri and Lipscomb have met once before, with the Tigers taking an 89-69 win on Nov. 6, 2006.
Missouri will open Southeastern Conference play Thursday at home against LSU. Game time is 6 p.m. (ESPN2-TV).