No. 5/6 Mizzou Takes Out Inter Hoop
11/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2003
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Columbia, Mo. - Seniors Arthur Johnson and Rickey Paulding combined for 36 points and 18 rebounds on Monday night as the No. 5/6 University of Missouri men's basketball squad took out Inter Hoop, 85-76. The Tigers received word earlier in the evening that they were ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press Preseason rankings, the highest preseason ranking for a Mizzou squad in school history.
In front of 6,207 fans in the Hearnes, Johnson, who registered 19 double-doubles last season, began the Tigers' exhibition season in fine style with 21 points and 12 boards. He was a robust 8-of-11 from the field while pulling down five offensive and seven defensive rebounds. Paulding had a rim rattling night for Mizzou scoring 15 points (eight of which came via the dunk). He also pulled down six boards and handed out five assists on the night.
The contest was relatively close at the half, with the Tigers leading only by four at 39-35. However, Mizzou came out firing in the second half, outscoring the squad from Lithuania, 34-9 over a 11:07-stretch. The run was capped with a sweet ally oop of the backboard from Jimmy McKinney to Paulding with 8:53 left in the second half to give the Tigers a 29-point lead at 73-44.
McKinney was outstanding running the point for Mizzou with 12 points, seven assists and three rebounds in a team-high 33 minutes played. Travon Bryant, Kevin Young and freshman Linas Kleiza teamed for a total of 26 points and 13 rebounds while senior Josh Kroenke pumped in seven points on 2-of-6 shooting from three.
The Tigers will continue preseason workouts on Wednesday in preparation for their second and final exhibition contest on Tuesday against the Asheville Altitude of the National Basketball Developmental League. For more information on Mizzou basketball, log on to the home of Mizzou Athletics on the web, www.mutigers.com.
