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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Michael Qualls had 21 points and No. 18 Arkansas beat Missouri 84-69 on Wednesday night for its fifth straight victory and eighth in nine games.

Bobby Portis added 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting to help the Razorbacks (21-5, 10-3 Southeastern Conference) continue their best start in conference play since the 1997-98 season. Arkansas' only loss since Jan. 17 is a 57-56 setback at Florida.

Qualls scored in double figures for the third straight game. The junior is 17 of 34 from the field in his last three games after going 14 of 59 in his previous five.

Missouri (7-19, 1-12) has lost 12 straight games for the first time since the 1966-67 season.

Johnathan Williams III and Tramaine Isabell led the Tigers with 13 points each.