Columbia, Mo. – University of Missouri men’s basketball secured its first conference win on Tuesday night at Mizzou Arena with an 83-67 victory against LSU. Mizzou improves to 12-3 and 1-1 in SEC play on the season, while LSU falls to 11-4 and 0-2 versus conference foes.
GAME LEADERS
Senior Tamar Bates led Missouri, tallying 20 points, eight rebounds and three steals on the night. Sophomore Anthony Robinson II notched 16 points in addition to four assists.
Overall, five Tigers scored in double figures during the winning effort. Marques Warrick chipped in a dozen points, Mark Mitchell added 11 and Caleb Grill scored 10.
Graduate Josh Gray anchored the Mizzou defense with 10 rebounds.
GAME RECAP
Defense was the key to success for the Tigers in the opening 20 minutes. Mizzou forced LSU into seven turnovers in the first nine minutes of the game, outscoring the visitors, 11-0, during that timeframe in building a 14-point lead, 23-9. Overall, MU tallied seven steals and a block, forcing 10 turnovers for LSU during the first 20 minutes of action for a 42-27 lead.
LSU was never within single digits in the second half as Mizzou earned its first SEC win of the season. A basket behind the arc by graduate Grill allowed the home team to go on a 10-2 scoring run towards the end of the game, giving Missouri the momentum it needed to finish off the 16-point victory.
TEAM STATS
Missouri made 46.3 percent of its baskets on the night and 12-of-25 from 3-point range, while holding LSU to 42.6 percent shooting, including a mark of 37.5 percent in the first half in building its lead. MU also won the battle on the glass, 37-29, and at the free-throw line, 21-13.
UP NEXT
Missouri continues SEC play at Mizzou Arena against Vanderbilt on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on SEC Network.
