Mizzou Hoops Puts Clamps on Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Wins 78-25

COLUMBIA, Missouri - Mizzou Men's Basketball (6-6) earned a 53-point victory over Arkansas Pine-Bluff (2-12) Tuesday, 78-25, its largest margin of victory since Dec. 18, 2010 when the Tigers defeated Central Arkansas by the same margin. The 25 points given up is the lowest total Mizzou has allowed since Jan. 3 1947, when Mizzou beat Iowa State, 36-25.

Freshman forward Kevin Puryear (Blue Springs, Mo.) led all scorers with 13 points, while matching his season-high rebound total with eight. Junior guard Wes Clark (Detroit, Mich.) also scored in double figures, posting 11 points, all in the first half. Sophomore forward Jakeenan Gant (Springfield, Ga.) recorded career-highs in rebounds and blocks, with 11 and four, respectively.



As a team, Mizzou posted season-highs in free-throw percentage, rebounds, blocks and steals. The Tigers connected on 18-of-22 shots from the free throw line and outrebounded the Golden Lions 56-30. Mizzou had seven players tally blocks for 11 total, while the Tigers also grabbed 12 steals.

The Tigers attacked the basket right from the start of the game, earning seven of its first 16 points from the free throw line. Gant made good on four early trips to the line. Later in the half, the Tigers scored 21 consecutive points, led by three three-pointers from Clark. Gant and senior forward Ryan Rosburg (Chesterfield, Mo.) each had thunderous dunks during the stretch. Rosburg's dunk came on a fast break which began after a block on the defensive end from freshman guard Terrence Phillips (Orange County, Calif.). Mizzou led 39-12 at halftime, its largest lead of the season at halftime.

An 18-1 run in the second half helped Mizzou increase its lead. Six different Tigers contributed during the run, led by six points from Puryear. Freshman forward Adam Wolf (Beaver Dam, Wis.) saw action for the second time this season in the second half, contributing six points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field, as well as three rebounds and two blocks.

Mizzou will wrap up nonconference play on Saturday, Jan. 2, against Savannah State. Tipoff from Mizzou Arena is slated for 2 p.m. and will be televised on SEC Network+.

PHOTO GALLERY

BOX SCORE

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS