Bertrand scores 19, but Illini rally falls short

ST. LOUIS – Illinois thought its youth would be its downfall. But it was nearly its reason for a comeback Thursday night against Missouri.

Despite a career-high 19 points off the bench from redshirt sophomore Joseph Bertrand, Illinois fell 78-74 in the Braggin’ Rights game at Scottrade Center. Bertrand scored 15 points in the second half.

The Sterling High School graduate made all nine of his field goal attempts and had five rebounds.

The ninth-ranked Tigers improved to 12-0 for the first time since the 1981-82 season. The Illini (11-2) have lost three straight meetings with the Tigers but still lead the series 27-15.

Illinois came back from 14 points down in the second half off aggressive play from Bertrand and steady guard play from Brandon Paul (19 points) and D.J. Richardson (13) to tie the game 70-70 in the closing minutes.

Missouri pulled ahead down the stretch behind Phil Pressey’s 20 points and Michael Dixon’s 18. Pressey scooped in a layup with 3.3 seconds left to secure the victory.

Illinois’ plan was to disrupt the Tigers, and it certainly achieved that by holding hot-shooting Mizzou to 44.1 percent shooting. The Illini shot 50 percent from the field.

Missouri grabbed control of the game early into the first half, going on an 18-2 run behind two 3-pointers from Marcus Denmon, who scored just eight in the game.

The Tigers knocked down five of their seven 3-pointers in the first half.

Meyers Leonard’s massive ally-oop early into the second half lit a fire under the Illini, who went on a 21-6 run and battled back from 14 points down to take the lead with just less than seven minutes remaining.

Leonard finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Illini.