I have arrived by the court inside the Ford Center, and the stands are filled with green and yellow and then yellow and black. The teams are out on the court shooting their practice shots. The cheerleaders, bands, and mascots are rocking the air.
It's that time of the year again. Championship season. It's the Missouri Tigers against the Baylor Bears. Who will win? I have no clue, but we're surely in for quite a game.
....
The Baylor fans carry prophetic signs cheering their prodigal Bears on to victory. The phrases "We Believe" and "Yes We Can" (really, who didn't see that coming?) fill the stands opposite me.
Bear fans know that a miracle could linger in the air and that their underdogs could have their day. I'm starting to think I'm in a movie. Hope they get my good side.
....
The Mizzou fans are no less enthusiastic. They know they have fought hard to get where they are now, just downing a very persevering Oklahoma State team, even when the Ford Center was covered in orange and black and it might as well have been a home game for the Cowboys.
The Mizzou fans shout back at the Baylor fans, not willing to be stung by a Cinderella Story. Can they make the clock strike midnight? We'll find out soon enough.
....
The Bear Band plays their trademark upset song, "The Imperial March", indicating that they are ready to serve the upset special to the Tigers.
Mizzou is not amused as the black Tiger flag flies across the court and the Tigers storm the court, followed swiftly by the Bears clad in their green and gold.
...
M-I-Z!!!! Z-O-U!!!!
The Tiger Chant stretches from both sides of the stands.
The starting line-ups are announced for both teams, it's just about game time.
....
The Bears capture the tip-off and try to go for the first strike, unsuccessfully.
....
Kevin Rogers of Baylor casts the first stone with a two-point shot, the Bear faithful explodes.
But Zaire Taylor of Missouri quickly ties it up with one of his own. Crud, this game's gonna go both ways, isn't it?
....
A three-pointer puts Mizzou in the lead for the first time with 15:30 left in the first half, 5-4.
....
We've reached the 10-minute mark here in the first half and we have witnessed what can only be described as a grudge match. Despite two tiring games with Kansas and Texas, the Bears appear as fresh as they've ever been, leading the Mizzou Tigers by 7, 19-12.
....
Eight minutes left. Mizzou just hit a three-pointer to take the lead, 20-19.
Another three-pointer by Kim English now increases the lead for the Tigers, 23-19. Mizzou is showing they are in no way, shape, or form going to lie down to the Bears.
This is going to be one heck of a night.
....
The tables have turned. Six-and-a-half minutes left and the Tigers take control, leading the Bears 27-20.
....
On a side note, I've never been this close to the action before. I live in constant fear of having to dodge a ball or a sweaty, soaring player. I should probably start thinking up a maneuver to save my equipment and take the hit if that happens.
....
Four minutes to halftime, and Mizzou still has a four-point lead on Baylor, 29-25, cut down to 29-28 thanks to a three-pointer by Baylor's Henry Dugat with one second left on the shot clock!
Something tells me this excitement isn't going to abate.
....
The Baylor Bear is taking a nap in the middle of the court during a timeout. I don't know how anyone could feel like sleeping right now with a game like this.
....
The first half is over and we head into halftime. It looked like the Baylor Bears would have this one in the bags with the way they initially showed up to the game, quickly going up by 6+ point lead in the first few minutes of the game. The MIzzou Tugers finally decided they had had enough of being pushed around, and they put together a strong rally, putting up points and doing their best to keep the hot Bears out of scoring range.
Mizzou Coach Mike Anderson said defense is the area of play that his Tigers hang their hats on, and it didn't appear that he exaggerated.
The score after the half: Missouri: 37, Baylor: 33.
Still too close to call, but what more could you want from a first half?
Stay tuned....
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