ALBUQUERQUE, March 16 (UPI) -- Rickey Paulding scored 20 points and Clarence Gilbert added 16 Saturday as 12th-seeded Missouri, showing the kind of performance expected of it prior to the start of the season, dominated throughout to down Ohio State, 83-67, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament's West Region.
Missouri went from a top-10 team early in the season to one that barely made it into the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team.
But the Tigers thoroughly whipped the Big Ten Conference tourney champion and moved into next Friday's regional semifinals in San Jose, where they will face the winner of Sunday's game between Cincinnati and UCLA.
Gilbert made a three-pointer with just over seven minutes left in the first half for a 28-19 lead and the Tigers quickly turned things into a rout. After a basket by Ohio State, another three-pointer by Gilbert triggered a huge run by the Tigers to close the half.
Gilbert followed with another three-pointer and Paulding dunked for a 36-21 lead. A final three-pointer by Gilbert and Paulding's tip-in just before halftime provided a 47-26 advantage.
"I just see a more mature group," Missouri coach Quin Snyder said. "They've just really started listening more attentively."
Paulding, a mild-mannered sophomore guard, grabbed nine rebounds and helped limit Ohio State guard Brent Darby to six points. Darby made two of 11 from the field.
"Even as a person, Rickey is starting to blossom," Snyder said. "I think Rickey is learning that he doesn't have to defer to Clarence or Kareem (Rush)."
Rush made just five of 16 shots for 17 points while Arthur Johnson added 14 points and six rebounds. Missouri shot 48 percent and obliterated the Buckeyes on the glass, 52-28.
Gilbert made six of 10 shots and handed out six assists to lead Missouri in that department. Gilbert, a shooting guard, was moved to the point earlier this season.
"He has really worked on his game," Snyder said. "It is pretty remarkable to be converted to a point in the first conference game in January."
Rush and Justin Gage each pulled down nine rebounds and Travon Bryant had six. Missouri collected 18 offensive boards.
Brian Brown was the only player in double figures for Ohio State with 19 points. The Big Ten tournament champions shot just 35.5 percent in the first half and finished two of 14 from beyond the arc.
"We really felt like we wanted to take away the three-point shot," Snyder said. "That's easier said than done."
The other two players in Ohio State's three-guard offense did not fare as well as Brown. Darby had his hands full with Paulding and Boban Savovic fouled out with five points.
The Tigers who are in the regional semifinals for the first time since 1994.
