Kevin Puryear pushes the ball up court against UNO (photo/Mizzou Athletics)
Mizzou Men’s Basketball handled Nebraska-Omaha for an 85-78 victory Wednesday improving the Tigers’ home record to a perfect 5-0 this season. Mizzou was led again by freshman Kevin Puryear, as he finished with 18 points and a career-high eight rebounds. It’s the seventh time in eight games Puryear has scored double figures.
The Tigers used a strong first half and a 14-6 run to open the second half, building a 15-point lead. UNO, after shooting just 33% in the first half, got on a roll in the second as again the Tigers let up, allowing the Mavericks to make it a two-possession game.
As a whole, the Tigers’ defense forced a season-high 16 turnovers, leading to 23 points.
Sophomore Jakeenan Gant and freshman guard K.J. Walton finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Tigers are at No. 14 Arizona (7-1) on Sunday, Dec. 13, at the McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. The game will tipoff at 7 p.m. CT.
