Kim Anderson, Mizzou win first game 56-41 over Valparaiso

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – Wes Clark scored 16 points and Johnathan Williams III added 10 to help Missouri defeat Valparaiso 56-41 on Sunday.

First-year coach Kim Anderson got his first win with the Tigers after losing to Missouri-Kansas City 69-61 on Friday, but it didn’t come easily. Missouri (1-1) led 24-23 at halftime despite no player converting more than one field goal.

The Tigers finally gained some separation with a 14-2 run to take a 41-29 lead with 9:47 remaining. Valparaiso never could get closer than seven the rest of the way.

E. Victor Nickerson led the Crusaders (1-1) with 12 points while Alec Peters added seven. Peters earned All-Freshman honors in the Horizon League last year with 12.7 points per game, but only played 27 minutes against Missouri because of foul trouble.