Mizzou escapes SEMO 89-84 in home opener
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Tigers needed a strong finish on Friday night to remain undefeated.
With the score tied at 76-all with under four minutes to go, Mizzou senior guard Mark Mitchell and junior guard Anthony Robinson II combined for 12 points to help give the Tigers an 89-84 victory over Southeast Missouri in their first game at Mizzou Arena this year.
You can watch the full press conference with head coach Dennis Gates and players, along with extended highlights, in the slideshow above.
Missouri (2-0) unexpectedly trailed SEMO 51-46 at halftime after initially jumping out to a 12-0 advantage in the first five minutes. SEMO (0-2) whittled away at the score over the next 10 minutes until taking a 36-34 lead with 5 minutes, 10 seconds to go in the half.
The Tigers went 63.3% (19-of-30) from the floor and held a 16-13 advantage on the boards in the opening frame, but the Redhawks had three players in double-figures in the first half.
SEMO senior Braxton Stacker scored 17 of his 26 points in the first half as the Redhawks went 59.4% (19-of-32) from the field in that frame. Junior guard Luke Almodovar had 12 of his 24 points in the opening 20 minutes, while junior guard Marqueas Bell came up with 10 of his 13 total. SEMO went 46% (29-of-63) from the floor for the game.
The Tigers opened the second half by outscoring the Redhawks 16-7 to take a 62-58 lead with 12:23 to go, thanks in part to nine points and an assist from Mitchell. Both teams traded baskets until the score was 76-all with 3:45 left.
Mitchell directed the Tigers with a game-high 29 points as Missouri went 59% (32-of-54) from the field. Robinson had 15 points, while senior guard Jayden Stone totaled 14 and junior guard Sebastian Mack came up with 11.
Up next – Missouri will continue its seven-game homestand with a showdown against VMI on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 3:30 p.m.