COLUMBIA, Mo. - Western Illinois made it a one possession game with 11 seconds left, but would come up short in its upset bid at 14th-ranked Missouri losing 66-61. The Leathernecks dropped to 2-1 while Missouri won its season debut in the opening game for both teams in the 2010 Cancun Challenge.

Senior Matt Lander scored a game- and career-high 24 points, 14 coming in the second half. His two free throws with 17 seconds remaining cut the deficit to two. Michael Dixon hit just one of two free throws, but the Tigers got the ball back following a turnover. Dixon was immediately fouled and converted both attempts for the final margin.

Head coach Jim Molinari noted his team's effort on the road against a nationally-ranked opponent.

"I am very proud of the way our guys played against a great team in a very tough environment. However, we are disappointed because we put ourselves in a position to win and we just didn't finish a few plays down the stretch," said Molinari. "We fought hard though and we have another difficult game at Wyoming next."

Ahead 34-29 at halftime the Tigers scored four straight to start the second half, but the Leathernecks used a run of their own to tie the score.

Jack Houpt nailed a 3-pointer, Ceola Clark III converted a lay-up, then after both teams missed baskets Tommie Tyler and Kaimarr Price made consecutive baskets to tie the score.

Missouri went on a 5-0 run and would eventually lead by nine again on Marcus Denmon's 3-pointer (52-43) with 8:31 remaining. Lander hit three 3s then Price's layin and free throw eventually tied the game at 55-all three minutes later.

Price hit another jumper to give Western a 57-55 lead, however Missouri hit five consecutive free throws to go ahead by three. The junior forward hit another basket, but Kim English's field goal made it a three point game with under a minute remaining.

Phil Pressey hit the first of two free throws with 43 seconds left for a 63-59 lead. Western missed two free throws, but so did Missouri on its next possession. Price grabbed the defensive rebound, and Lander got fouled by Ricardo Ratliffe. He made both attempts but that would be the closest the Leathernecks would get.

"Matt Lander played very well and stepped up for us when we needed it the most. He hit some clutch 3-pointers that kept us in the game late," said Molinari. "Matt and Ceola (Clark III) both played a lot of minutes and that takes guts to play that much against a team like Missouri. Kaimarr Price was excellent in the post and very strong on the boards."

Price recorded his first double-double with 15 points and game-high 12 rebounds. Clark had six points, six assists, four rebounds and four steals. His steals give him 130 in his career, moving him into third place on the all-time list.

Western out-rebounded the Tigers 38-37 and shot 42 percent from the floor (24-of-57).

No Missouri player scored in double-figures but four shared team-high honors with nine points apiece. The Tigers shot 41 percent from the field but only 52 percent at the free throw line (14-of-27). Laurence Bowers grabbed a team-leading 10 rebounds to go with his nine points.

The Cancun Challenge continues for Western on Saturday night (Nov. 20), traveling to Wyoming. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. central.