COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri men’s basketball wrapped up non-conference play on Monday night at Mizzou Arena, running past Alabama State for an 82-65 victory. The Tigers finish non-conference play with an 11-2 record.
MIZZOU LEADERS
Senior Tamar Bates led the Tigers with 16 points on the night to go with six boards. Junior Mark Mitchell added 14 points on just six field goal attempts (5-of-6 field goals and 4-of-5 free throws). Trent Pierce and Tony Perkins chipped in 12 points apiece, with Pierce also adding a career-best eight rebounds.
GAME RECAP
The Tigers led wire-to-wire as an early triple from Pierce gave Mizzou a lead it would not relinquish. Mizzou gained control of the game following a 17-5, turning a four-point lead into a 16-point advantage, 30-14. The Tigers stretched their advantage to as much as 20 points in the first 20 minutes of action before heading into the locker room with an 18-point lead, 42-24.
It was more of the same for the Tigers in the second half, quickly stretching their lead to 26, 61-35, before cruising to the 82-65 victory.
TEAM STATS
The Tigers shot 50.0 percent in the winning effort, while holding the Hornets to 38.5 percent shooting (including just 28.6 percent in the first half).
UP NEXT
Missouri opens SEC play on Saturday night, squaring off at No. 2 Auburn. The two schools are set for a 3 p.m. tipoff on SEC Network.
