The television listing of Saturday night’s game between Missouri and Green Bay on SEC Network could’ve read “The Jordan Geist show” instead of the usual “College Basketball.”
Junior guard Jordan Geist stole the spotlight in Missouri’s 100-77 victory over UW-Green Bay at Mizzou Arena. He ended the game with 28 points and had tallied 18 of those by halftime.
Geist’s shooting stood out, too. He shot 11 of 14 from the field, including 5 for 8 from 3.
“After I made my second 3 of the game, I knew it was my night,” Geist said postgame.
His first-half output matched his previous scoring high with Missouri, which he recorded in a game last December against Lipscomb.
After Green Bay raced out to a 13-4 lead, the Tigers went on a scorching shooting run, hitting 13 of 15 field goals through a stretch in the first half.
“When the shots are there, you have to take them,” head coach Cuonzo Martin said. “The whole team did a great job of that tonight, especially Jordan [Geist].”
As Missouri went on a 6-0 run in the second half, Geist made the play of the night when he stole an errant Green Bay pass and finished off a fast break by dunking the ball with his right hand. It was no small feat for the 6-foot-2 guard, and it energized the Mizzou Arena crowd.
“It was definitely a real dunk,” Geist said. “No question about it.”
Freshman Jeremiah Tilmon also had a night to remember. He recorded 12 points and 11 rebounds, good for his first collegiate double-double.
“He was what we need him to be,” senior Jordan Barnett said. “He was unstoppable on the glass. He stayed out of foul trouble and was really tough down low.”
Missouri simply couldn’t be stopped from behind the 3-point line. The Tigers knocked down 14 3s, led by senior forward Jordan Barnett’s career-high five.
As Missouri pulled away, walk-ons Brett Rau and Adam Wolf both recorded baskets, much to the crowd’s delight.
“We still have plenty of work to get done,” Martin said. “But tonight’s a good win.”
Missouri reached the 100-point mark as a team for the first time since beating South Carolina State 102-51 on Dec. 17, 2012.
Players will have a full week to finish finals while the coaching staff prepares for the team’s next matchup on Dec. 16 against North Florida at Mizzou Arena. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m CT.
_Edited by Joe Noser | jnoser@themaneater.com_