Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis used a strong second half to overcome a 10-point deficit at the break and earn an 83-75 victory in the season opener on Monday night.
MIZZOU LEADERS
In his first career start, sophomore Anthony Robinson II (Tallahassee, Fla.) responded with a career-best 16 points and seven assists.
Three additional Tigers also scored in double figures in the opener – sophomore Trent Pierce (Tulsa, Okla.) also tallied a career-best 13 points, while senior Tamar Bates (Kansas City, Kan.) and junior Aidan Shaw (Overland Park, Kan.) added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Junior Mark Mitchell (Kansas City, Kan.) tallied eight points to go with a team-leading seven boards.
GAME RECAP
Missouri used a strong first half to take a 10-point lead into the break. Trailing by a single point, 12-11, the visitors made 10-consecutive shots to pull in front by 14, 36-22. Pierce led MU with 10 points in the opening 20 minutes of action, reaching double figures for just the second time in his career in the opening stanza. Overall, Mizzou headed into the locker room with a 42-32 advantage.
Memphis, however, fought back in the second frame. Trailing by 13 points, 49-36, the hosts got hot from the field and the free-throw line – making nine of their next 10 field goals during a 24-7 run to move ahead by four, 60-56. Another seven-point spurt – all coming from the night’s top scorer PJ Haggerty – pushed the lead to eight, 67-59, with 5:30 remaining. Mizzou would only pull within five the remainder of the game as Memphis earned the eight-point win.
TEAM STATS
Missouri finished the game by shooting 45.6 percent from the field, while Memphis converted 44.8 of its field goals, including 57.7 percent in the second frame, in addition to a 17-of-20 clip from the free-throw line after the break.
The hosts were also able to take advantage of turnovers in the second frame. Forcing Mizzou into 11 during the second 20 minutes of play after committing only three in the first frame.
UP NEXT
The Tigers welcome Howard to Mizzou Arena for their home opener on Friday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on SEC Network Plus.
