COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Men’s Basketball dropped a tight contest to North Carolina Central, 62-52, on Monday night at Mizzou Arena. Sophomore guard Terrence Phillips (Orange County, Calif.) led the Tigers in scoring with 17 points, while freshman forward Willie Jackson (Cleveland, Ohio) blocked a season-high four shots.

Phillips set a new career-high in the game with five three-pointers, two more than his previous best of three. Senior forward Russell Woods (Chicago, Ill.) led the team in rebounds for the second time this season, snagging six boards. The Tigers protected the ball, allowing just five points off of a season-low six turnovers, but it was not enough to overcome the Eagles.

The Mizzou defense took center stage in the first half of action as the Tigers forced eight turnovers. Jackson blocked all four of his shots in the opening frame, the most blocks in a game since Jakeenan Gant turned away four shots against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last season (Dec. 29, 2015).

In the second half, Mizzou cut NCCU’s lead to four on two separate occasions in the final five minutes, but could not get the basket it needed to gain the lead.

Mizzou will play the third game of its six-game home stand on Saturday, Dec. 3, when the Tigers play host to Western Kentucky. Tipoff from Mizzou Arena is set for 2 p.m. (CT), with the broadcast on the Big 550 KTRS.