Caleb Grill scored a career-high 33 points, grabbed nine rebounds and added two steals as the Missouri Tigers defeated the Eastern Washington Eagles 84-77 Monday night in the nonconference matchup in Columbia, Mo.
Mark Mitchell added 13 points for the Tigers (2-1).
After shooting just 3-for-22 from 3-point range in their victory over Howard, the Tigers hit 10-for-18 this time. Grill did most of that damage, going 8-for-10 from distance.
Andrew Cook scored 24 points and made four steals for the Eagles (1-2), who rallied to within two points with 5:15 to play. Mason Williams scored 20 points, Tyler Powell scored 11 and Nic McClain added 10 points but also 7 Eastern Washington’s 14 turnovers.
The Eagles forced turnovers on Missouri’s first two possessions and bolted to a quick 12-4 lead. Cook scored seven early points with two drives and a 3-pointer.
The Tigers responded with an 11-0 run with Grill scoring two free throws after his own offensive rebound, nailing a corner 3-point jumper and a dunking after making a steal.
After Williams stabilized the Eagles with a 3-point jumper, Missouri pushed out to a 35-20 lead, with Grill fueling the surge with back-to-back 3-pointers.
Missouri finished the first half with a 45-33 lead on the strength of its 26-6 edge in bench scoring and shooting 57.7 percent from the floor.
Cook’s steal and dunk cut Missouri’s advantage to 50-41, and Eastern Washington was able to stay in range for the rest of the half.
Powell’s three-point play pulled Eastern Washington within seven points at 58-51 with 11:37 left to play. The Tigers responded with six straight points on Grill’s 3-point play off a drive and a 3-pointer by Jacob Crews.
After calling timeout, the Eagles used a 17-6 run to cut their deficit to 70-68.
Grill steadied the Tigers with a 3-point jumper and two free throws off another of his offensive rebounds.
Williams hit a deep 3-pointer for Eastern Washington, but Grill answered with an even deeper trey with 1:15 left to put the Tigers safely ahead by seven.
–Field Level Media
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