Missouri notebook: Ongoing suspensions leaves Tigers shorthanded again

Missouri played with only eight scholarship players for the second straight game.

Freshmen guards Tramaine Isabell, Montaque Gill-Caesar and Namon Wright remained suspended Tuesday against South Carolina.

Tigers coach Kim Anderson said Monday that Isabell would be suspended for a fourth straight game, but he had left the door open for Gill-Caesar and Wright to return during the weekly SEC teleconference.

Gill-Caesar, who is MU’s third-leading scorer at 9.6 points per game, and Wright did not make the trip, but it’s possible both could return for Saturday’s game against Mississippi State at Mizzou Arena.

“I haven’t had a whole lot of time to visit with them, because we were getting ready for South Carolina,” Anderson said. “So, when we get back, I’m going to visit with them (Wednesday) … and I’ll be visiting with Tramaine, too.”

If none of the three guards are reinstated, coupled with sophomore Wes Clark’s injury, the Tigers will be left with only senior Keith Shamburger and junior Deuce Bello as natural guards against the Bulldogs.

First half

▪ Key play: Missouri went into halftime tied at 30-30 after a serendipitous South Carolina tip-in of a defensive rebound off a missed Jakeenan Gant dunk.

▪ Key stat: South Carolina settled for a lot of three-pointers and didn’t make many, going three of 14 from long range.

Second half

▪ Key play: Sophomore guard Wes Clark dislocated his right elbow with 13:18 remaining. South Carolina’s Michael Carrera landed on Clark’s arm as he was diving and extending it to reach for the ball.

▪ Key stat: South Carolina finished with 18 offensive rebounds.

To reach Tod Palmer, call 816-234-4389 or send email to tpalmer@kcstar.com. Follow him on Twitter at @todpalmer.

This story was originally published February 10, 2015 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Missouri notebook: Ongoing suspensions leaves Tigers shorthanded again."