Marcus Denmon scored 20 points to lead four Missouri players in double figures as the sixth-seeded Tigers shook off a sluggish start and a sloppy finish to hold on for a 88-84 victory against Texas Tech on Wednesday in the first round of the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City, Mo.

Missouri (23-9) trailed by as many as seven in the first half, but the Tigers rallied to take a 48-44 halftime lead thanks to Denmon and senior forward Justin Safford, who scored eight of his 10 points off the bench in the first 20 minutes.

Michael Dixon had 17 points and Kim English added 15 for the Tigers, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

John Roberson had 28 points and seven assists, and David Tairu added 16 points for the Red Raiders (13-19, 5-11 Big 12), who cut a 13-point deficit to two, but could get no closer.

It was Texas Tech coach Pat Knight's final game with the Red Raiders; he was fired Monday, effective at the end of the season.

Missouri will meet No. 3 seed Texas A&M in the quarterfinals Thursday.