Laurence Bowers scored a career high 26 points as the 12th ranked Missouri Tigers outscored a pesky Southeast Missouri squad 41-20 in the second to pull away for an 81-65 win at Mizzou Arena, Tuesday night.
The Redhawks shot lights out in the first half, opening a 10 point halftime lead by hitting 55% from the floor and 53% from three point range by going 8 for 15. SEMO was led by Corey Wilford who had 14 at the break.
While everything was going right for SEMO, Mizzou stumbled out the gate. Phil Pressey was just 3 of 14 shooting, forcing bad shots. The Tigers were also slow in getting back on defense and left SEMO open several times.
Mizzou tightened up their defense and started attacking the basket in the second half, getting to the foul line 19 times in the final 20 minutes. Their stingy defense shut down the Redhawks from three point range, going who went just 1 of 11 in the second half.