Phil Pressey scooped in a layup with 3.3 seconds left to secure a 78-74 win for Missouri over Illinois on Thursday at the Scottrade Center.

Missouri improved to 12-0 for the first time since the 1981-82 season. Illinois (11-2) has lost three straight meetings with the Tigers but still leads the series 27-15.

The Tigers overcame an off night from star Marcus Denmon, getting 20 points from Phil Pressey and 14 points from forward Ricardo Ratliffe.

Missouri grabbed control of the game early into the first half, going on an 18-2 run behind two 3-pointers from Denmon, who scored just eight in the game. The Tigers knocked down five of their seven 3-pointers in the first half.

Meyers Leonard’s massive ally-oop early into the second half lit a fire under the Illini, who exploded for a 21-6 run and battled back from 14 points down to take the lead with just under seven minutes remaining.

Leonard finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Illini while Joseph Bertrand scored a career-19 points in the loss.