Mizzou Tigers survive Southern Indiana’s hot-shooting 2nd half for season-opening win
DeAndre Gholston’s driving bucket 2 1/2 minutes into the second half increased Missouri’s lead to 20 for the first time, and the Tigers’ opening game started to take on a name-the-score feel.
Things got a little too close for comfort for Missouri down the stretch, as Southern Indiana drew within six. An incredible shooting half had something to do with it. The Screaming Eagles made 14 of 17 from beyond the arc after the break.
But the Tigers had enough push in the closing minutes to avoid disaster in coach Dennis Gates’ debut. Missouri won, 97-91, at Mizzou Arena.
“As coach (Dickey) Nutt said, you can’t pour cold water on a win,” Gates said.
Here are five takeaways from the game:
Kobe Brown is the game’s MVP: Brown is the unquestionable leader of the Tigers. He had a double-double in the first half and finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds. After Mizzou’s 16-point halftime lead was cut to nine early in the second half, Brown delivered a three-point play. Brown, as he will most games, also led Missouri in minutes with 29.
Defense shouldn’t be optional: Improving the defense is the big lesson learned in the opener. Missouri surrendered 60 — 60! — points in the second half. Southern Indiana, in its first year as a Division I program, was prolific from beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes, making 14-of-17 threes – after going 1 of 13 in the first half.
“To be able to shoot they way they shot, I’ll be curious to look at another box score this year that could resemble that for a half,” Gates said. “I’d be shocked if we ever see one.”
Missouri led 83-63 with 4:47 remaining. Southern Indiana scored 28 points to end the half, including seven three pointers.
“You give credit to them,” Missouri guard Sean East said. “But we got kind of lackadaisical. Once we got that lead we kind of relaxed a little bit. We have to focus on the details coming out in those last four minutes.”
Aidan Shaw nearly perfect from field: The freshman had a great shooting performance to start his Missouri career. The Blue Valley High graduate made his first four buckets, including a three-pointer from the wing. Shaw’s first miss came with four minutes remaining, when he rimmed out a three-pointer. Shaw posted nine points and two rebounds in a memorable 12-minute debut.
“He did a great job,” Gates said. “Now we want to increase his rebounding rate.”
Missouri’s starting lineup: Brown, Noah Carter, Gholston, D’Moi Hodge and Nick Honor. All but Brown are transfers, but not many programs will have a more experienced lineup. Brown and Carter are seniors. The three others are graduate students. All have started at least 35 Division I games and played in at least 57.
Delayed start: The game’s start was delayed about 10 minutes for what was announced as “technical” issues. That was good news for several hundred fans who were in line waiting to enter Mizzou Arena. Missouri athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois greeted fans at one entrance.
This story was originally published November 7, 2022 at 9:44 PM.