UMKC was 23 of 29 from the free throw line for the game.
The Kim Anderson era at Missouri started slow. The Tigers started the game shooting 3 of 13 as they fell behind UMKC 16-7 through the first ten minutes of the game.
The Kangaroos held off one run late in the second half as the Tigers cut the lead to three, but UMKC wins the opener 69-61 at Mizzou Arena.
In the first half, the lead for the Roos was as high as 12 with just under nine minutes to play, but Missouri closed to within four at 23-19 on a three-pointer from Keith Shamburger. However, UMKC built the lead back up to 12 before settling with a 33-24 halftime lead.
Martez Harrison led all scorers with 26 point for the Roos. Teki Gill-Cesar had 21 for Mizzou on just 9 of 23 shooting, including just 1 for 6 from three point range.
UMKC was 23 of 29 from the line, while the Tigers were just 8 of 16 and Mizzou was outrebounded 43-38.
