Nov. 22, 2002

Final Stats?|? Quotes?|? Notes

By KYLE NAGEL Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Ricky Clemons scored 25 points and Rickey Paulding added 19 as No. 20 Missouri defeated American 72-57 Friday in the season opener for both teams.

Clemons, a transfer from the College of Southern Idaho, also had four assists and five rebounds in his debut as Missouri's point guard. Paulding, a junior, made eight of 16 shots but didn't score in the second half until 1:09 remained.

Steven Miles led American with 12 points and Jernavis Draughn added 10.

Missouri survived a late surge. Miles scored with 1:30 left to pull American to 63-56, but Clemons made two free throws to boost the lead to nine. Paulding made two more free throws after American failed to score, sealing the win. In the last 1:28, Missouri made nine of 10 free throws.

American also cut Missouri's lead to 43-35 early in the second half with a 9-0 run that included six points from Draughn. Missouri responded with a 6-0 run of its own.

Missouri overcame a poor shooting start to take a 36-22 halftime lead. Paulding scored Missouri's first six points on his way to 17 in the half, and the Tigers shot 16-of-36 after a 3-of-10 start.

American made just 28 percent of its shots in the first half and didn't score for the first 4:40. The Eagles didn't reach double digits until 5:25 remained in the half, when Ricardas Patiejunas made the first of his two 3-pointers.

Missouri widened its lead to 25-9 with an 11-0 run in the middle of the half. After a technical foul was called against Missouri's Najeeb Echols with 3:52 left in the half, American went on an 8-0 run to get to 35-22.

Missouri outrebounded American 26-15 in the first half and 45-34 for the game.