The Missouri Tigers used a 16-5 run late in the first half to pull away from a one-point game, leading to a 70-51 win over Miami-Ohio on Tuesday night at Mizzou Arena.

Kevin Puryear scored season-high 20 points and Jordan Barnett tied his career high with five three-pointers and finished with 15 points and eight rebounds.  Kassius Robertson added 17 points, including three from three point range.

After Miami-Ohio closed to 20-19, Barnett and Robertson both buried three’s to get the lead up to seven and the Tigers defense clamped down.  Mizzou held the RedHawks to 24% shooting in the first half and only 32% shooting from the field for the game, including 5 for 24 from three-point range.

A problem area for this young Tigers team are turnovers.  I believe that’s a product of having a young team that is still building chemistry.   Mizzou has three more home games to work on that before the Illinois game.

The Tigers committed 17 turnovers, giving them 62 over their last four games.

Mizzou (7-2) takes on Green Bay (2-4) on Saturday before a week-long break.