Mizzou hoops cruises to 21-point win over Howard in season opener
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KMIZ)
The Mizzou men's basketball team started a highly-anticipated season off with a win, on Monday, as the Tigers handled business, 88-67, on the road at Howard.
Head coach Dennis Gates and company showed off their depth against the Bison. The Tigers had just as much production off the bench, as they did with their starting five.
Tolton alum Jevon Porter, center Shawn Phillips Jr., guards Anthony Robinson and Sebastian Mack, as well as forward Mark Mitchell all got the start against the Bison. That group of five combined for 49 points in the win. Meanwhile, Blair Oaks alum Luke Northweather, guard T.O. Barrett, forward Jacob Crews and guard Jayden Stone all worked off the bench and tallied 39 points.
Phillips Jr. stole show up in Washington D.C. The senior transfer from Arizona State led the team with a double-double in his first outing in the black and gold, totaling 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Stone and Crews also got into double-digit scoring with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Overall, Mizzou shot 55 percent from the field and 52 percent from 3-point range.
The length and size that Coach Gates added in the offseason was also on display, on Monday night, as MU out-rebounded Howard 46-27.
Up next - Coach Gates and his team will return home to open up Mizzou Arena for the season. The Tigers will host SEMO on Friday at 7 p.m.
