In Monday night’s season opener, Missouri dominated Arkansas-Pine Bluff with a convincing 101-79 victory at Mizzou Arena. Sean East II led the Tigers with an impressive 21-point performance, shooting efficiently and making a significant impact from beyond the arc and the free-throw line. Nick Honor and Tamar Bates both contributed 18 points, with Bates showcasing his skills by sinking three 3-pointers. Caleb Grill and Noah Carter also played a vital role, adding 15 points each, with Grill grabbing seven rebounds.
On the opposing side, Arkansas-Pine Bluff heavily relied on Kylen Milton, who scored 34 points, displaying accuracy both inside and outside the paint. Joe French contributed 30 points but faced challenges with his shooting accuracy.
Missouri’s victory marked a strong start to their season, following a successful 25-10 record in the previous year under coach Dennis Gates. The Tigers, who finished fourth in the Southeastern Conference and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, demonstrated their dominance in the matchup. The win also extended Missouri’s undefeated record against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, making it six consecutive victories against their opponents.
