Mizzou basketball tops Northern Kentucky for 2nd win

Mizzou basketball looked good in its second game of the season, taking down the Norse by 15 points.

Mizzou basketball matched up with Northern Kentucky well in its second game of the season, and the Tigers took out the Norse 71-56 on Friday night at Mizzou Arena.

The Tigers picked up a big game from starting guard Mark Smith, who led the Tigers with 19 points. Smith picked up big buckets when Mizzou needed it, and the junior was 4 of 7 from the 3-point line. That’s what the Tigers will need from their starting guard throughout the season. He delivered it against Northern Kentucky, an NCAA Tournament team from a season ago.

Mizzou basketball is now 2-0, and the Norse drop to 1-1. Friday’s game gave Mizzou a tougher matchup than it had in Wednesday’s season opener against Incarnate Word, and the Tigers passed the test. Mizzou never trailed Friday, and the closest the game got to was a 14-14 tie midway through the first half. But Mizzou used a 6-0 run to gain control, and the Tigers cruised to a 36-29 halftime lead.

The Tigers opened the game up even more to begin the second half.

Mizzou stretched its lead to double digits with a 3-pointer from Mitchell Smith, who knocked down two triples on the night. Mizzou made it 60-39 with a Dru Smith layup, marking a 21-point lead and the biggest of the night.

Mark Smith finished with a team-high six rebounds to go with 6 of 10 shooting for his 19-point total. Jeremiah Tilmon was 5 of 6 from the field for 13 points with five boards.

Mizzou wasn’t good from the 3-point line in its first game of the season. On Friday, it shot 31 percent from outside, better than Wednesday, but not nearly what it wants to be. Only Mark and Mitchell Smith made 3-point shots, so that will continue to be something the Tigers will try to add to their game.

The Tigers play No. 19 Xavier on Tuesday night in their first road game of the season. The Musketeers are 2-0 on the season.