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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri has made scoring points look very hard this season. In Saturday’s 91-75 victory over Florida, the Tigers made it look easy.
“When you start seeing the ball go in for everybody, it’s easy to get rolling,” said Dru Smith, who finished with 22 points, six assists and five steals. “The crowd gets into it, and it gives you a little more energy.”
Missouri (9-6, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) entered the game next-to-last in the league in scoring at 66.7 points per game. The Tigers tied a season-high for points and shot 61.5% from the field and 63.2% from 3-point range. Mark Smith and Javon Pickett scored 14 points each, and Mitchell Smith added 10 points.
“As a staff, we felt helpless,” Florida coach Mike White said. “We couldn’t find a way to get stops. It wasn’t our best effort, but Mizzou had a lot to do with that. I thought Dru Smith was fantastic. That was one of the better performances of anyone we’ve played against this year.”
Kerry Blackshear led Florida (10-5, 2-1) with 22 points, Noah Locke scored 12 and Scottie Lewis finished with 11.
Mark Smith sank a 3-pointer on the game’s opening possession, and the Tigers were off and running. They led 51-36 at halftime. The second half started the same way, as Mitchell Smith sank a 3-pointer, causing White to call a timeout just 40 seconds after intermission.
The Gators cut an 18-point deficit to 10 when Tre Mann hit a 3-pointer with 14:50 left, but they couldn't get enough defensive stops to get any closer.
Missouri has failed to reach 60 points four times this season, including their first two SEC games. The Tigers were noticeably more aggressive driving the ball than previously this season. Missouri had a 40-14 advantage in points in the paint.
Dru Smith was especially effective at muscling into the lane and finishing.
“He does a great job of shot-faking, and he knows how to use angles with bigger guys on him,” Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin said. “And he’s a good passer, so it gives him an advantage. So when he gets in the lane, he can make plays.”
BIG PICTURE
Florida: The Gators lengthened the game and made a run early in the second half by beating a path to the free throw line. They had Missouri in so much foul trouble they were shooting free throws in the bonus at the 13:20 mark. Florida made 25 of 32 free throws.
Missouri: The Tigers pushed the pace more than usual against the Gators. Missouri created transition chances with 11 steals. For a team that often struggles to score in halfcourt sets, any easy basket is welcome. “Our first key written on the board before the game was, ‘Push the ball in transition,’” Dru Smith said.
THUNDEROUS DUNK
Missouri sophomore point guard Xavier Pinson said Martin had stern words for him after he struggled in Tuesday’s loss to Tennessee. Pinson responded against Florida, scoring eight points and dishing three assists with no turnovers.
“My whole anger and hunger today on the court was all because of him,” Pinson said of his coach. “I can’t thank him enough.”
Pinson drew one of the biggest roars of the season from the Mizzou Arena crowd when he led a fast break, faked a pass to the right corner and threw down a dunk over Omar Payne to give Missouri a 13-5 lead. Pinson called it one of his top five all-time dunks.
“To me, it was just getting the crowd involved, giving the crowd something worth their time for coming,” Pinson said.
MISSOURI SUSPENDS GUARD
Missouri announced before the game it has suspended freshman guard Mario McKinney indefinitely for undisclosed reasons. McKinney had played in seven games and was averaging 2.6 points.
EXTENDED STAY
The Gators usually fly back to Gainesville right after road games, but White decided before the trip to spend an extra night in Missouri because ice and snow was in the forecast. White said he was concerned that flight delays might cost his players valuable sleep.
UP NEXT
Florida: The Gators play Mississippi on Tuesday at home.
Missouri: The Tigers visit Mississippi State on Tuesday.