Jan. 5, 2011

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COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Kim English scored a season-high 20 points in the first half alone to lead seven players in double figures as No. 9 Missouri romped over Division II North Alabama 98-58 on Wednesday night.

The junior guard connected on six of seven 3-pointers in the first half for Missouri (14-1), off to its best start in 21 years. Justin Safford and Laurence Bowers added 16 points each for the Tigers.

Beaumont Beasley scored 13 points for North Alabama (6-9).

English was Missouri's leading scorer as a sophomore but entered the game fifth in scoring this season on a more balanced team. He missed his only three shots in the second half as coach Mike Anderson cleared his bench.

Missouri had a 61-33 rebounding edge over the smaller Lions in its first regular-season game against a Division II opponent since 1996. The Gulf South Conference team had just one player taller than 6-foot-6.