Nov. 3, 2001
Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri men's basketball team opened its exhibiton season today with a 93-82 win over the EA Sports All-Stars before 7,288 fans at the Hearnes Center.
As expected, pre-season all-American Kareem Rush led the way for Missouri, with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Rush, the Big 12 scoring champion a year ago, hit 10-of-17 shots on the day, including 3-of-6 from three-point range, in 28 minutes of play.
Sophomore center Arthur Johnson also contributed a double-double on the afternoon, as he tallied 15 points and 11 rebounds.
No other Tigers scored in double figures, but Head Coach Quin Snyder's third squad displayed a good offensive balance, as seven others scored a minimum of four points apiece.
Sophomore forward Travon Bryant had nine points on the strength of 4-of-6 from the floor. He also added six rebounds in just 17 minutes of play. Sophomore forward Rickey Paulding added eight points, while sophomore guard Wesley Stokes, and freshmen Najeeb Echols and Duane John added seven points apiece. Echols was quite impressive in his 22 minutes of play off the bench, as he added a game-high 12 rebounds, including seven of the offensive variety.
Missouri shot 51.4 percent from the floor in the opening half to establish a 48-33 lead. EA Sports, behind the play of guard Kelley McClure (Otterbein College), cut the lead to five early in the second half, but back-to-back buckets by Johnson and Paulding got the Tigers a nine-point lead, and MU would never look back.
The Tigers looked good on the boards today, as they outrebounded their guests by a 54-36 margin, including 20 to 11 on the offensive glass. Mizzou shot 47.2 percent from the floor on the day, and held EA Sports to just 38.8 percent.
Next up for Missouri, ranked No. 9 in the pre-season ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll, is the exhibition finale on Tuesday at 7 p.m., as they host the Illinois All-Stars. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS, by visiting the Hearnes Center ticket office, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.