Missouri senior guard Tamar Bates drives to the basket during the game against Long Island on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. The Tigers defeated the Sharks 88-61 and improved to 9-1 on the season.
Trent Pierce scores career-high 24 points in Missouri’s ninth straight win
After an upset against No. 1 ranked Kansas, Missouri returned to the court in a home matchup against Long Island University. The Tigers extend their winning streak to nine games with a 88-61 victory.
The Tigers started the game with Anthony Robinson II, Tamar Bates, Tony Perkins, Mark Mitchell and Josh Gray on the court.
Missouri sophomore guard Anthony Robinson II looks to pass the ball on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. Robinson finished the afternoon with six steals, a career-high.
Robinson’s layup two minutes into the game was the first field goal for the Tigers. Six players scored for Missouri in the first half. Trent Pierce led the team with 17 points on six made field goals. The Tigers made 15 total field goals in the first half, holding a 21-point lead over Long Island at halftime.
Perkins made a three-pointer two minutes in to begin the second half scoring for the Tigers. Throughout the game Missouri knocked down 14 three-pointers. Pierce scored the most from outside the paint, shooting five for the Tigers.
Missouri continued the pressure in the second half against Long Island, scoring 43 points and seven three-pointers. The Tigers continued piling on the lead, ahead by 32 points with four minutes left.
Missouri sophomore Trent Pierce shoots a 3-pointer during the game against Long Island on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. Pierce finished the afternoon with 24 points, a new career-high.
Pierce finished with his first 20-plus point game of his career, scoring 24 total. Warrick finished with 16 and Mitchell with 15 as the other two Tigers to score double digit points.
“Trent [Pierce] wants to play,” Missouri head coach Dennis Gates said. “He’s going to be unbelievable for us and he’s going to continue to help us.”
The Tigers continued their home stand against Jacksonville State at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
A corgi runs back to their owner after the corgi race at halftime during the game between Missouri and Long Island on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. Fans were invited to bring their pets to participate in the race.
Edited by Dylan Heinrich | dheinrich@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Emma Short | eshort@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com