COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Men's Basketball opened its 2016-17 season with focused shooting and relentless energy, beating Alabama A&M by a score of 99-44 Sunday night at Mizzou Arena. Head coach Kim Anderson's third season leading the Tigers began with a 55-point victory, the most points scored by a Mizzou team since early in the 2012-13 season.

The Tigers were led by freshman guard Frankie Hughes (Cleveland, Ohio), who looked dynamic in his collegiate debut, dropping a smooth 23 points on 9-14 field goal shooting. Hughes was solid in the first half, but went off after the break, pouring in 16 points. The newcomer sank 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in the second frame, including a stretch early in the second period where he hit three corner triples in a row.

Hughes was joined in double figures by fellow freshman and former high school teammate Willie Jackson (Cleveland, Ohio), who had 11 points and nine rebounds, and senior forward Russel Woods (Chicago, Ill.), who put in a career-high 12 points in the rout.

Hughes' 23-point outburst was especially significant, as it matched the Mizzou program record for points by a freshman in a season opener. Hughes matched all-time Tiger great Steve Stipanovich's 23 points he scored vs. Southwest Texas State in 1979.

Sophomore forward Kevin Puryear (Blue Springs, Mo.) helped Mizzou control the glass, grabbing a team-best nine boards, while sophomore guards Terrence Phillips (Orange County, Calif.) and Cullen VanLeer (Pacific, Mo.) were tops in assists, with five apiece. 

The Tigers started the game with suffocating defense, holding the Bulldogs to just 23 percent field goal shooting in the first half. A combination of full court pressure and half-court discipline helped the Tigers control the early going, keying a 24-4 run at the beginning of the game.     

The Tigers shot a blistering 63 percent (35-of-56) from the field, creating and making high-quality looks from all over the court. Mizzou was also mindful of ball security, turning over the basketball just nine times to Alabama A&M's 15.

Mizzou shot an even 50 percent (8-of-16) from three-point territory. Hughes and VanLeer led the way, combining for seven of the eight made triples for Mizzou. Sophomore guard Jordan Geist (Fort Wayne, Ind.) also got in on the act, dropping in one of his two attempted threes in the first half. 

Mizzou's bench played dominantly, outscoring the Bulldogs' bench 41-20.  Mizzou received several outstanding performances, including solid play from sophomore guard K.J. Walton (Indianapolis, Ind.), who chipped in with nine points, two rebounds, and two assists, and freshman forward Mitchell Smith (Van Buren, Ark.), who contributed seven points and five rebounds. 

The Tigers continue at the 2016 Tire Pros Invitational, hosted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Mizzou starts action on Thursday, Nov. 17, with a Noon CT tipoff vs. Xavier on ESPNU.

For all the latest on Mizzou Men's Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team at @MizzouHoops (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook).