COLUMBIA, Mo. - Senior forward Jordan Barnett (St. Louis, Mo.) scored a game-high 18 points and pulled down 11 rebounds to lead Mizzou Men's Basketball to its fourth consecutive win, as head coach Cuonzo Martin's squad beat North Florida, 85-51, at Mizzou Arena on Saturday night. The win marked the Tigers' sixth-straight win at home to start the 2017-18 season, their longest home winning streak since the beginning of the 2013-14 season.
Mizzou's offense was in a rhythm all night, and was hard to guard, as five different members of the Black & Gold put their name into the double-digit scoring column. The Tigers were also dominant on the glass with 52 rebounds, eclipsing 50 rebounds for the first time this season.
Mizzou was led by Barnett, who notched his second double-double of the season and the third of his career. Sophomore forward Reed Nikko (Maple Grove, Minn.) also chipped in 12 points and five rebounds in the win, setting a career-high for points scored in a game.
Turning Point
The Tigers started out fast, jumping all over the Ospreys to the tune of a 20-0 run early in the first half, as the Tigers went from trailing, 6-5, to leading, 25-6, between the 16:57 and 9:38 marks of the first half. The Tigers were well rested from their week without a game for finals, and it showed right from the opening tip.
Mizzou's two most veteran players sparked the run, as graduate transfer guard Kassius Robertson and Barnett combined for 17 of the Tigers' first 25 points. Robertson did most of his damage from beyond the arc, going 2-of-4 from downtown during the run. Barnett showed a little bit of everything, getting his points in a variety of ways. During the run, Barnett hit a three, a two-point jumper from the short corner, and used his athleticism to pound the offensive glass.
Top Tigers
- With 18 points and 11 rebounds, Barnett recorded his second double-double of the season. Over the last six contests, Barnett is averaging 18.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
- Freshman forward Jontay Porter continued to show off his versatile style of play, amassing six points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
- Junior guard Jordan Geist chipped in 11 points, five rebounds, and three steals in 28 minutes played.
- Freshman forward Jeremiah Tilmon scored 10 points and snatched five rebounds in the game. The effort marked the sixth time the freshman has scored at least 10 points, and the fourth straight game he has had at least 10 points and five rebounds.
Notes
- Mizzou moved to 6-0 at home to start the 2017-18 season, their best start to a season at home since the 2013-14 season, when the Tigers won their first eight at home.
- Mizzou held North Florida to 19 points in the first half, its lowest opponent total in a half this season. The previous low was the 21 points Wagner scored (Nov. 13).
- Barnett recorded his second double-double of the season, and the third of his career, recording 18 points and 11 rebounds. His last such effort came against West Virginia (Nov. 26).
- Barnett has now scored 15+ points in six-straight games, the longest such scoring streak of his career. His 18-point output is the eighth time this season and 26th time in his career he has scored in double-figures.
- Freshman forward Jontay Porter set a season-high in assists, dishing out five against the Ospreys. His previous high was four against Green Bay (Dec. 9). Porter also recorded 10 rebounds, just the second time in his career he has reached double-digit rebounds. Porter has now grabbed five or more rebounds in 10-straight contests.
- With Barnett and Porter's performances on the glass, Mizzou had two players record 10+ rebounds for the first time since the 2015-16 season when Jakeenan Gant and Russell Woods had 11 and 10, respectively, against Arkansas Pine-Bluff on Dec. 29, 2015.
Up Next
Mizzou finishes up its homestand, playing against the Lumberjacks from Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday, Dec. 18, at Mizzou Arena. The game is set to tip at 8 p.m. CT, and can be viewed on ESPNU.
