First half

• Key play: Trailing 7-5, a three by Jabari Brown kick-started a 16-4 Missouri run that helped the Tigers take a lead they would not relinquish.

• Key stat: Missouri dominated the boards 26-9.

Second half

• Key play: A vicious one-handed slam by Laurence Bowers almost blew the roof off the building and gave Missouri a 59-37 lead as Arkansas quickly called timeout.

• Key stat: Arkansas shot a miserable six for 25 (24 percent) from three-point range.

Senior speeches

Tuesday's game marked the final home game for Missouri’s three seniors, Laurence Bowers, Keion Bell and Alex Oriakhi.

Bowers, a fifth-year senior, spoke last.

“I love this place, I’ve been here for five years,” Bowers said. “You guys have been nothing but great. … If I had to do it all over again, I would definitely choose Mizzou.”

Bowers also went out of his way to mention Michael Dixon Jr., who started the season on suspension and left the team in December because of legal issues.

“He was a part of this class, too, and we love him,” Bowers said.

Oriakhi, who surpassed the 1,000-rebound mark for his career on Tuesday, was touched by the love he’s received from Missouri fans since he transferred from Connecticut last spring.

“You guys have shown me so much love. … So once again I want to say thank you,” Oriakhi said.

Bell, who transferred from Pepperdine and sat out all of last season, said the same.

“Thanks to the whole community for welcoming us,” Bell said. “Even though I’ve only been here a short time, I feel like I’ve been here my whole career.”

| Terez A. Paylor, tpaylor@kcstar.com