KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 8, 2012) -- Kim English scored 27 points and led a 26-5 first-half run, and No. 5 Missouri swamped short-handed Oklahoma State 88-70 on Thursday night in the Big 12 quarterfinals.

Marcus Denmon added 24 points, and Phil Pressey had 12 assists, one short of Missouri's school record. The Tigers also outrebounded the Cowboys 40-20.

The Tigers (28-4), who set a school record with 27 regular-season victories, played much of the game as though they have something to prove while heading out the door for the Southeastern Conference- a move that has earned the animosity of many soon-to-be former Big 12 peers.

In the semifinals Friday, they will play the winner of the Texas-Iowa State game with many fans hoping for a championship game showdown Saturday with archrival and third-ranked Kansas.

English had 21 of his points in the rapid-fire first half, which ended with Missouri on top 49-24. Denmon, a two-time All-Big 12 guard, had 17 in the second half.

Keiton Page had 22 points for Oklahoma State, and Brian Williams had 21.