It’s been a strong start for the Missouri Tigers, and their winning ways show no signs of slowing down, as they continue to take care of inferior opponents.
Mizzou dominated LIU across the stat sheet, heading into halftime with a 20-plus point lead and finishing with a commanding 88-61 victory, their ninth consecutive win.
This game showcased significant contributions from Mizzou's bench, which wasted no time making an impact and took over in all facets of the contest.
Of the top five Tigers in minutes played, three came off the bench. Additionally, three players scored over 15 points during the game, two of whom did not start.
The Mizzou bench, and the team as a whole, was led by Trent Pierce, who came off the bench to score a career-high 24 points.
Pierce made an immediate impact after checking into the game, quickly sinking a three-pointer and maintaining his momentum throughout the contest.
The sophomore was highly efficient, shooting 8-of-14 from the field and 5-of-11 from beyond the arc. He added three points on as many free-throw attempts, grabbed four rebounds, and contributed defensively with three steals and a block.
Pierce set his career high in points in the first half, scoring 17 within the first eight minutes of the 26 he played in total.
Rinse and repeat for @trentpierce22 as he hits his third triple of the day 👌👌👌#MIZ 🐯 pic.twitter.com/uKtzsKIxk4
— Mizzou Hoops (@MizzouHoops) December 14, 2024
Beyond Pierce, Marques Warrick was another key contributor off the bench. He shot an impressive 6-of-8 from the field and finished with 16 points.
Overall, the offense was efficient and effective enough to secure a win against a team that didn’t match the level of competition Mizzou faced in its past two games.
It’s encouraging to see players like Pierce and Warrick step up with performances like this, as it gives the coaching staff confidence to rely on them in close games against tougher competition, particularly with conference play on the horizon in the coming month.
Pierce and Warrick combined for just 13 minutes and no points in last week’s game against Kansas. A different game plan against LIU allowed them more minutes and both took advantage of their opportunity.
“He wants to play,” Dennis Gates said of Pierce. “What he showed today was his ability to focus not on the minutes he had, but on making the most of them.”
The win is more impressive than it might initially seem. It’s notoriously difficult to bounce back and secure a victory after an emotional high like Sunday’s game, where the Tigers not only defeated their biggest rival in the Border War but also toppled the No. 1 ranked team.
The ability of this Mizzou team to stay grounded and not get caught up in the hype following a monumental win like that is a testament to their focus and maturity. Responding with a strong performance and getting back to business is a quality not every team possesses, making this win all the more meaningful.
The Tigers will aim for their 10th victory of the season on Tuesday evening when they host the Jackson State Gamecocks at 6:30 p.m.