Missouri’s 2018-19 season opener wasn’t as pretty as last year’s, but the Tigers managed to overcome offensive struggles to beat Central Arkansas 68-55.
The Tigers shot just 31 percent from three-point territory and 46 percent from the free-throw line and went through multiple scoring droughts against a Bears team that also struggled to score. MU shot 42 percent from the field.
Illinois transfer Mark Smith had an impressive debut for Missouri, scoring a team-high 19 points and pulling down a career-high 10 rebounds. Fifteen of Smith’s points came off threes. Sophomore Jeremiah Tilmon added 16 points and five rebounds while freshman Javon Pickett had seven points.