Mizzou cruises to victory over Oklahoma City 73-48 in exhibition matchup
Courtesy: Mizzou Athletics
Columbia, Mo. – The Missouri Men's Basketball Team got the 2013-14 season rolling with a convincing 73-48 exhibition win over Oklahoma City Friday night (Oct. 25) at Hearnes Center.
Mizzou Athletics honored the 1993-94 undefeated Big Eight Conference Championship team during the game, which took place at the historic Hearnes Center. Legendary Missouri coach Norm Stewart and nearly every member of his championship team attended the game.
Admission was free and fans were encouraged to arrive early for pregame festivities that included autographs and a ceremonial jersey presentation to the 1993-94 players and coaches. Coach Frank Haith's squad wore uniforms from the championship season and Stewart addressed Mizzou nation at halftime.
"On behalf of Missouri basketball, the 1993-94 team, players, coaches and staff, we want to thank you for coming out," Stewart said. "I know that you came out to see the basketball game and I know that you came to see the great team of 1993-94. We've got great fans. We always have and I think we always will."
Redshirt junior Jabari Brown, who started nearly every game for the Tigers during the second half of the 2012-13 season, returned to the starting lineup alongside senior Earnest Ross. Ross, a native of Cary, N.C., made 10 starts last year for the Tigers and was a crucial player off the bench. Jonathan Williams, III, a freshman from Memphis, Tenn., and transfers Jordan Clarkson and Keanau Post made their first starts in a Tiger uniform.
Brown gave the Tigers an early lead after hitting his first shot beyond the arc and the Tigers never looked back. Mizzou held a commanding lead over Oklahoma City throughout the entirety of the game and played in various combinations constructed by Haith and his staff.
The Tigers led Oklahoma City by 19 (43-24) at half and shot an impressive 53.8 percent from the floor during the first half.
Mizzou got off to a bit of a lethargic start in the second half as Oklahoma City cut the lead to 10 (51-41). The Tigers soon got back on track and went on a 14-0 run in six minutes as the trio of Clarkson, Brown and Ross showed flashes of greatness with well-timed and well-executed plays throughout the remainder of the game.
As a team, Mizzou shot 52 percent from the floor and 31 percent from beyond the arc as well as recording 46 rebounds. Brown led the team in scoring with 15 points and five assists. Ross was just behind Brown and recorded a double-double by scoring 13 points and 12 rebounds. Williams had an impressive freshman debut, scoring 10 points. Leading the scoring for Oklahoma City was senior Kaleb Smith who tallied 15 points.
The Tigers return to action, next Friday, Nov. 1, when they take on Central Missouri in their second and final exhibition game of the season. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mizzou Arena.
