Missouri got its act together as the second half continued, but the Tigers couldn’t get closer than eight points.

Their inability to get anything going from behind the arc undermined their comeback. Try as they might, the Tigers couldn’t earn clean looks from three-point range.

KU was content to trade baskets and maintain its edge.

Finally, with 11:23 left, a five-second violation by KU against the Tigers press and a Leo Lyons jumper cut the margin to seven points — 46-39. Bill Self called timeout to settle his group.

Missouri had two chances to cut the lead to five points but failed. Finally Lyons scored off the break . . . but missed the free throw that could have cut the margin to four.

After forcing a turnover, Zaire Taylor knocked down two free throws to cut the margin to three points. Give the Tigers this: There is no quit with this group.