In a battle of contrasting styles, Baylor used their size to dominate an undersized Missouri team in the paint in the first half.
However, the Tigers were able to fillet the Bears 1-3-1 zone on the other end of the floor, racing out to a 43-37 lead after 20 minutes in the Big 12 Tournament Championship in Kansas City.
Missouri PG Phil Pressey had only 4 points, but he was able to exploit the huge driving lanes created by the Baylor zone to rack up 7 assists in the first half. Marcus Denmon and Ricardo Ratliffe, both with 11 points, were two of the biggest beneficiaries of Pressey's penetration.
The Bears were led by Perry Jones III and Quincy Miller, who combined for 15 points as they attacked the much smaller Tiger front-line in the paint.
With the 6'6 Kim English playing out of position at the power forward spot, the game may turn on whether Baylor can exploit their size differential without letting English get free on the three-point line.