KJ Walton pulls down a rebound against Ark-Pine Bluff (photo/Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou Men’s Basketball (6-6) hopes to build off their 53-point win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, when they Savannah State (4-6) at Mizzou Arena with a 2 p.m. The Tigers held the Golden Lions to 25 points – the lowest opponent point total in Mizzou Arena history and the lowest for a Mizzou opponent since 1947, when the Tigers beat Iowa State 36-25.
Freshman forward Kevin Puryear’s 12.2 points per game leads the Tigers after 12 games. He’s shooting 51% from the field. In that Tuesday win, sophomore forwards Jakeenan Gant and Russell Woods became the first Mizzou pair this season to both grab ten or more rebounds in a game.
Savannah State (4-6) comes in after a 17-day layoff. The Tigers, led by head coach Horace Broadnax, last played on Dec. 16 at Utah, losing by a score of 99-53. The Tigers have two players averaging double-digit scoring in graduate transfer guard Chris Martin (13.2) and junior forward Troyce Manassa (12.6).
Savannah State has averaged 64.1 points and 32.9 rebounds per game this season. In all six of their losses, the Tigers have given up at least 67 points. Martin has scored in double figures in nine of ten games this season, including a season-high 18 points vs. Georgia Southern (Dec. 2). Savannah State senior forward Brian Pearson impressively pulled down 20 rebounds vs. Florida National (Nov. 13). Pearson leads the Tigers with his 5.1 rebounds per game.
