Wes Clark scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead the Missouri Tigers to a convincing 56-41 win over the Valparaiso Crusaders in non-conference action at Mizzou Arena.
Johnathan Williams III scored 10 points and pulled down six boards for Missouri (1-1), while Montaque Gill-Caesar chipped in with nine points and five rebounds.
E. Victor Nickerson registered 12 points for Valpo (1-1), and Jubril Adekoya secured a team-high eight rebounds.
Neither team was particularly strong in the first half, as Missouri went into the locker room leading 24-23 after shooting just 25 percent to Valpo's 38.1 percent. Both squads made just two 3-pointers in the initial 20 minutes.
Things picked up for the Tigers in the second half, who shot 53.8 percent and cut the Crusaders down to 28 percent shooting from the floor. Missouri outscored Valpo 32-18 in the second frame.
The Tigers had the edge in points in the paint, 26-18, and owned a 37-28 advantage on the boards.
[SportsNetwork.com]
