COLUMBIA, Mo. – Sophomore forward Jeremiah Tilmon scored a career-high 23 points as he led Mizzou Basketball to a dominant 71-56 win over perennial BIG EAST power Xavier Tuesday night (Dec. 18) at Mizzou Arena. Tilmon was one of three Tigers to score in double figures as Xavier had no answer all night for the big man from East St. Louis. He totaled his 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting while pulling down a team-high 10 rebounds, good for his fifth career double-double and third this season.

Mizzou played strong defense throughout the game, limiting Xavier to 38.8 percent shooting and just 56 points, both of which were the second-worst by the Musketeers this season. Only Cincinnati has defended Xavier better this season (47 points on 35.3 percent shooting).

Mizzou improves to 7-3 on the season, winning four straight, while Xavier falls to 7-5.

Xavier seemed to have control early in the first half, opening a 9-3 lead early in the opening 20 minutes. But Mizzou seized momentum with a 17-0 run over nearly a four-minute stretch, taking what was a 9-3 deficit and turning it into a 20-9 lead. Five different players scored during Mizzou's 17-0 run, including eight from Tilmon, who scored in double figures for the fifth straight game, tying the longest such streak of his career.

Mizzou pushed the lead to 31-16 after a three-pointer from Torrence Watson. The Tigers continued to play stifling defense, which has become a staple under second-year head coach Cuonzo Martin, and limited Xavier to just 18 points over the final 14:30 of the first half. The 41 points scored in the first 20 minutes were Mizzou's most in the game's initial half this season.

The Tigers continued to guard well, while shooting efficiently on their own end, as they pushed the lead to as many as 29 in the second half as they were never really challenged following the 17-0 run.

• Tilmon continued his dominance inside Mizzou Arena, going for his career-high 23 points and 10 rebounds. Tilmon has scored in double-digits in every home game this season. Mizzou improved to 18-2 in Tilmon's career when he reaches double figures. 
• Sophomore G Mark Smith scored in double figures for the sixth time this season with 13 points and six boards. He hit three shots from distance in the win, moving his team-high mark to 25 3-pointers on the year.
• Senior G Jordan Geist scored in double figures with 13 points and added seven boards and two assists while picking up three steals.

• Mizzou earned its fourth straight win Tuesday. It marks the third winning streak of four or more under Cuonzo Martin, who coached his 43^rd game at Mizzou Tuesday. He is now 27-16 at Mizzou.
• Mizzou earned its first win over Xavier since Nov. 24, 2001, a 72-60 decision in the Wooden Tradition. That snapped a four-game skid against the Musketeers as the Tigers improve to 3-5 all-time vs. Xavier. Cuonzo Martin is now 3-1 all-time vs. Xavier in his coaching career.
• Mizzou is now 25-23 all-time against BIG EAST teams.
• Mizzou held an opponent to fewer than 70 points for the 29^th time under head coach Cuonzo Martin. Mizzou has done so seven times this year and is 7-0 in such games.
• Sophomore forward Jeremiah Tilmon scored in double figures for the fifth consecutive game and the seventh time in 10 games this season as he recorded a new career-high with 23 points.  
• Mizzou scored 41 points in the first half Tuesday, marking the most it has scored in the opening 20 minutes this season.
• Mizzou also limited Xavier to just 27 points in the first half, Mizzou's third straight game holding an opponent under 30 points in the opening half. Mizzou is surrendering just 24.67 points in the first half over the last three games.
• Mizzou led by as many as 29 in the second half, Xavier's largest deficit this season.  

Mizzou will be back in action this Saturday (Dec. 22) as it heads to St. Louis, Mo., for the annual Braggin' Rights Game against rival Illinois. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Big Ten Network.

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