COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -Missouri used a 14-0 run over 6:06 in the second half to offset an abysmal opening half and pick up its seventh straight win, beating Savannah State 74-45 on Wednesday night.
Missouri (12-3) led just 28-25 at halftime after averaging a 22-point lead in its previous nine home games. But Marcus Denmon, Justin Safford and Kim English combined for 28 second-half points to push the Tigers to the victory. English finished with 13 points, Denmon and Safford 12 apiece.
Despite a relatively strong shooting night (45.5 percent), Missouri was outhustled by a scrappy Savannah State team that picked up 12 offensive rebounds in the first half.
Savannah State (5-12) was spearheaded by Patrick Hardy's career-high 14 points, but it was not enough to overcome a more talented Missouri team.
Since joining Division I before the 2002-03 campaign, Savannah State is 0-37 against teams from BCS conferences.
