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COLUMBIA, MO. (AP) -- After a strong start, Missouri stumbled to the finish line of its Big 12 season, losing four of its last five games including a second-round exit in the conference tournament.

The NCAA selection committee was not impressed, but still included the Tigers in the 68-team field.

Missouri (23-10) fell to a No. 11 seed after spending the majority of the season in the Top 25 and will play No. 6 seed Cincinnati in the second-round game Thursday in Washington. It's the Tigers' third straight NCAA appearance.

Missouri was nearly flawless at home this season with a mark of 17-1, losing only in the final regular-season game against Big 12 champion Kansas. On the road, the Tigers won only one conference game - at Iowa State on Feb. 19.

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