Mizzou takes care of business, beats VMI 106-68
After a somewhat lackluster win Friday, the Missouri Tigers knew they had to take care of business Sunday. And Mizzou did just that.
The Tigers didn’t just win, they dominated the VMI Keydets, 106-68, Sunday at Mizzou Arena.
Mizzou led 30-14 in points off turnovers, 50-25 in total rebounds, 30-2 in second-chance points, 37-23 in bench points, 27-8 in fast break points and an astounding 60-2 in points in the paint.
“It started with our mindset,” Missouri forward Jacob Crews said. “Came in, quick turnaround. Executed very well on what we were trying to do. They went to their zone … and that kind of opened up the middle for us.”
VMI’s fast start
But it didn’t start as domination. In fact, VMI led through much of the game’s first 10 minutes.
The Keydets hit a game-opening 3, then TJ Johnson connected on three free throws, starting a 31-point day, to create a 6-1 advantage early. VMI would lead through the 14:19 mark, then traded the lead three times in the next two minutes.
A Cal Liston 3 put the Keydets up 19-15 with 11:41 left to play. Then the Tigers got to work.
Ant Robinson hit a free throw, then Mark Mitchell added a layup. T.O. Barret did the same before Sebastian Mack hit a fast break layup. The Tigers’ 7-0 run was all of paint touches and Mizzou wouldn’t trail again.
The game would be tied once more after a Mario Tatum 3 made it 22-all, but the Tigers put together another 6-0 run, this one highlighted by a Robinson step-back 3 followed by a steal-turned-dunk.
Mizzou would pull away to an 11-point lead three times in the first half before taking a 50-40 lead into the break.
“We were hot,” VMI coach Andrew Wilson said. “TJ Johnson got going early in the game, 31 points. He kept us in the game. He kept us within striking distance at least in the first half. … But to be honest, their size and length and athleticism had a lot to do with our poor performance on offense. We’re not accustomed to playing against size and strength like that.”
Second half surge
After the break, it was the Tigers heating up.
Missouri scored eight of the first 11 points after halftime to build a 58-43 lead with 15:42 left. Then the Tigers put together a 15-2 run to create a 73-50 lead.
The Tigers’ lead hung between 20-25 points until a 19-1 run finished the game and created the final 38-point margin.
“First half to second half, I think the difference was we were able to get there on shooters,” Mizzou coach Dennis Gates said. “… We did make the adjustments.”
Injuries
The Tigers were once again without center Trent Burns, forward Trent Pierce and guard Annor Boateng. None have played this season.
Burns has yet to be cleared from an offseason surgical procedure.
Pierce and Boateng are dealing with unspecified “lower-body injuries.” Gates has said Pierce is actively practicing and Boateng is day-to-day.
But along with those three, the Tigers were without starting center Shawn Phillips due to illness.
“Shawn wanted to play, I had to make a decision,” Gates said. “Three games in less than five days, I’m just shocked he allowed me to make that decision. But it comes with the relationship. Shawn wanted to be out there with his teammates.”
In their absence
Without Phillips, transfer forward Luke Northweather got the first start of his career. He produced 10 rebounds, three assists, three points and two steals.
“Shawn Phillips is a unique player, and we do miss him being out there,” Gates said. “Obviously, it was such a late notice of just making a decision not to play him. … Rim protection, Luke Northweather was able, from a position standpoint, to step up, step in and provide us with rim protection. It may not have been as intimidating as Shawn Phillips … but a positional defender is just as valuable. … We saw Luke’s versatility.”
Five Tigers reached double figures as Gates played a nine-player rotation.
Mitchell led the way once again, scoring 24 points. He drastically improved from Friday’s performance at the free-throw line, connection on 10-of-13 shots from the stripe. He also reached his first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds to go with three assists, one steal and one block.
Robinson scored 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including a 4-of-5 day from beyond the arc. That bested his previous career high of four 3-point attempts and makes. He went 2-of-4 twice last season for his most attempts and 3-for-3 against Vanderbilt for his career high in made 3s.
“I’ve been working with coach Gates,” Robinson said. “My form and technique. Just being more comfortable out there, not thinking about it, getting out of my head, just letting it go.”
The junior guard added four assists and four steals.
Transfer guard Jayden Stone went 7-of-10 from the field for 16 points, while also grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out five assists.
Transfer guard Sebastian Mack added 14 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
And Crews had 14 points and six rebounds.
Post game press conferences
Gates, Robinson and Crews
VMI coach Andrew Wilson
Up next
Mizzou (3-0) will face its first power-conference opponent of the season when it hosts Minnesota (2-0) at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
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