Written by Austin Fackler
Jordan Geist and Jontay Porter combined for 31 points and 12 rebounds to help lead Missouri in a 95-58 opening round win over Long Beach State in day 1 of action in the Advocare Invitational.
Mizzou wanted to run, but both teams got off to a slow start. However, after the first media timeout the Tigers came out hot as Cullen Vanleer hit a three pointer that sparked a 8-0 run that helped open up a double digit lead for the Tigers forcing the 49ers to call an early timeout. The timeout paid off and after going scoreless for three and a half minutes, the 49ers broke the drought as Jordan Griffin hit a three pointer for Long Beach State to make it 13-5 with 13:07 left in the half.
Despite breaking the drought, the 49ners continued to struggle as the Tigers offense came alive pushing their lead to 16 with just nine minutes left to play and with 5:41 left in the first half Kassius Robertson hit a three to extend the Tiger lead to twenty.
Despite the deficit Long Beach State continued to fight cutting the Missouri lead to 15 with just under two minutes remaining in the first half. Missouri was able to finish the half strong however taking a 22-point lead into the locker room. Gabe Levin lead Long Beach State in scoring with 8 points, while Jontay Porter lead the Tigers with 10 points.
Long Beach State started the 2nd half in about as bad a way as you can, receiving two technical fouls. With 15:50 remaining in the game, Missouri had extended their lead to 26. It was all Tigers down the stretch, pushing their lead to as much as 30 late in the second half and never looked back.
Leading the way for the Tigers offense was Jordan Geist who scored 16 points followed by Jontay Porter who added 15 points as well as 4 blocks. For Long Beach State, they were led by Gabe Levin who had 12 points.
Missouri Tigers Head coach Cuonzo Martin was proud of his team saying “I thought our guys did a really good job competing, playing hard and playing together. I feel like the biggest thing we talked about is playing with energy and enthusiasm. We did a good job early setting the tone early defending, rebounding, playing hard and playing with passion”
The Tigers move to 4-1 on the season and will be taking on the winner of the St. Johns vs Oregon State game, Long Beach State awaits the loser of that game.
Mizzou wanted to run, but both teams got off to a slow start. However, after the first media timeout the Tigers came out hot as Cullen Vanleer hit a three pointer that sparked a 8-0 run that helped open up a double digit lead for the Tigers forcing the 49ers to call an early timeout. The timeout paid off and after going scoreless for three and a half minutes, the 49ers broke the drought as Jordan Griffin hit a three pointer for Long Beach State to make it 13-5 with 13:07 left in the half.
Despite breaking the drought, the 49ners continued to struggle as the Tigers offense came alive pushing their lead to 16 with just nine minutes left to play and with 5:41 left in the first half Kassius Robertson hit a three to extend the Tiger lead to twenty.
Despite the deficit Long Beach State continued to fight cutting the Missouri lead to 15 with just under two minutes remaining in the first half. Missouri was able to finish the half strong however taking a 22-point lead into the locker room. Gabe Levin lead Long Beach State in scoring with 8 points, while Jontay Porter lead the Tigers with 10 points.
Long Beach State started the 2nd half in about as bad a way as you can, receiving two technical fouls. With 15:50 remaining in the game, Missouri had extended their lead to 26. It was all Tigers down the stretch, pushing their lead to as much as 30 late in the second half and never looked back.
Leading the way for the Tigers offense was Jordan Geist who scored 16 points followed by Jontay Porter who added 15 points as well as 4 blocks. For Long Beach State, they were led by Gabe Levin who had 12 points.
Missouri Tigers Head coach Cuonzo Martin was proud of his team saying “I thought our guys did a really good job competing, playing hard and playing together. I feel like the biggest thing we talked about is playing with energy and enthusiasm. We did a good job early setting the tone early defending, rebounding, playing hard and playing with passion”
The Tigers move to 4-1 on the season and will be taking on the winner of the St. Johns vs Oregon State game, Long Beach State awaits the loser of that game.