COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Kevin Puryear scored 13 points to go with eight rebounds as Missouri defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 78-25 on Tuesday night, snapping a three-game losing streak.
It’s the lowest scoring total by a Missouri opponent since the Tigers defeated Iowa State 36-25 on Jan. 3, 1947.
Wes Clark added 11 points, two rebounds and three assists, shooting 3 of 5 from 3-point range. Clark has made seven 3-pointers in the last two games after making only eight in Missouri’s first 10 games.
Jakeenan Gant had seven points and a team-best 11 rebounds, aiding the Tigers on their way to a 56-30 rebounding margin, their largest of the season.
Russell Woods made his first career start for Missouri (6-6), scoring six points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 15 minutes. His rebound total matches the career high he had in Missouri’s 68-63 loss to Illinois last Wednesday.
The Tigers dominated out of the gate, using a 30-7 run that lasted 12:20 to secure a 39-12 halftime lead.
The Golden Lions (2-12) shot 15.4 percent from the field, the lowest percentage by a Missouri opponent since Texas A&M shot 24.1 percent on March 14, 2013, a game the Tigers won 62-50.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Thaddeus Handley had a team-high eight points to go with two rebounds and JoVaughn Love had seven points and one rebound. Love entered the game as the Golden Lions’ leading scorer, averaging 10.7.
Missouri enjoyed its largest margin of victory since defeating South Carolina State 102-51 on Dec. 17, 2012.
K.J Walton made his second start of the season for Missouri, adding seven points and two rebounds. Walton’s first start was in the season-opener against Wofford, when he had six points and two rebounds in an 83-74 victory.
Despite not scoring, Devin Berry led the Golden Lions with a career-high 10 rebounds. Berry was averaging only 1.8 rebounds per game heading into this game.
TIP-INS
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: The Golden Lions are in the midst of an 18-game road streak to start their season. … Jaquan Lynch had his four-game streak of at least one made 3-pointer snapped. … Arkansas-Pine Bluff is 0-20 against Southeastern Conference opponents.
Missouri: The Tigers have outrebounded five of their last seven opponents, including double-digit margins against Illinois and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. … Missouri leads the series 5-0. … Adam Wolf logged a season-high five minutes, scoring six points and grabbing three rebounds.
UP NEXT
Arkansas-Pine Bluff visits Mississippi Valley State Monday.
Missouri hosts Savannah State Saturday.
— Associated Press —