Anthony Robinson II shines in exhibition win over Kansas State

Missouri men’s basketball renewed a storied rivalry with an exhibition win over the Kansas State Wildcats Oct. 24. The Tigers won 100-91, with strong showings from returning pieces and new faces.

Anthony Robinson II proved once again that he is a driving force for the Tigers, and Shawn Phillips Jr. showed out in his first appearance in black and gold.

Robinson took control of the Mizzou offense once the Wildcats settled into the game with a narrow lead over the Tigers. The junior guard handed Kansas State back-to-back buckets to gain some momentum back in the first half. 

Sophomore guard Annor Boateng capped off Robinson’s efforts by converting a difficult and-one layup to regain a narrow lead for Mizzou following the Wildcats’ early offensive run.

After earning the lead, the Tigers once again turned to Robinson’s offensive prowess to increase it.

Robinson paved the way during the Tigers’ first-half 14-0 run. He totaled 11 of the 14 unanswered points for Mizzou.Without missing a shot, the junior guard went 5-for-5 from the field during this stretch.

Kansas State went looking for some offensive answers too, and they found them in P.J. Haggerty, who finished the night with 23 points. Haggerty was one of the top scorers in the country last year, averaging 21.7 points per game with Memphis.

Mizzou’s early lead was too much for the Wildcats, and the Tigers walked back to the locker rooms with an 8-point lead at the break. 

Robinson continued his offensive masterclass for the Tigers in the second half. He began the period with three assists, stifling the Wildcats’ attempts to cut down the lead.

Senior forward Mark Mitchell took a hard hit at the end of the first half, and he did not see any action for the rest of the game.  

“Well, I didn’t have an intention of playing him or Ant over 25 minutes,” head coach Dennis Gates said. “It’s important that we establish a T.O. Barrett, or establish a Luke Northweather, Jevon Porter, Nicholas Randall, and see what our team looks like without Mark Mitchell.”

Mitchell’s absence provided the opportunity for more players to take charge, including Phillips Jr., an Arizona State transfer.

Phillips Jr. proved himself as a force in the paint. The 7-foot center finished his first game as a Tiger with a double-double of 14 points and 10 boards.

“He’s a vertical threat,” Gates said. “I’m more proud of his ten rebounds, he would say the same.”

In many ways, the second half belonged to Boateng. He earned 10 of his 15 points after the break. He also failed to miss a shot from the field during this period, finishing 4-for-4 in the second half.

The Wildcats never dug themselves out of the hole Robinson’s first-half performance created. Mizzou grew the lead up to 19 in the second half before walking away with the 9-point win.

The Tigers begin regular season play on the road next week, taking on Howard in Washington D.C. before beginning a seven-game home stand to start off the year. 

Edited by Colin Simmons l [email protected]

Copy edited by Avery Copeland | [email protected]

Edited by Alex Gribb | [email protected]