COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Southeastern Conference heavyweight matchup at Mizzou Arena looked more like an early knockout on Wednesday. SEC favorite Tennessee, the nation’s No. 7 team, blitzed No. 12 Mizzou from the opening tip and took a 38-25 lead into halftime.
In a matchup of the SEC’s only ranked teams through the first month of the season, the Volunteers led by as many as 19 points in the first half, shot nearly 54 percent from the field and held MU to just seven field goals on 22 shots.
No Missouri player had more than two baskets as the Tigers shot 1 of 7 from 3-point range and just 4 of 11 on layups at the rim.