Four starters scored in double figures, guard Caleb Grill returned to play and Missouri men's basketball closed its nonconference slate with a Monday night win over Alabama State.
The Tigers beat the Hornets 82-65 and will be 11-2 entering Southeastern Conference play.
Guard Tamar Bates led Mizzou with 16 points. Forward Trent Pierce, injected into the starting lineup in a schematic tweak from coach Dennis Gates after point guard Anthony Robinson II was held out of the game with an illness, scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Point guard Tony Perkins added a dozen of his own, while forward Mark Mitchell enjoyed one of his most efficient nights of the season, shooting 5 of 6 from the field and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line to score 14.
The Tigers led wire to wire, thanks to an early 3-pointer from Pierce to open the scoring. Their advantage swelled to as much as 26 in the second half, but Alabama State closed the game on an 11-2 run in garbage time.
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The game marked Grill's first game action since he left a Nov. 27 game against Lindenwood on a stretcher following a neck injury. He'd warmed up with the team for last weekend's Braggin' Rights game against Illinois but did not appear in the rivalry matchup.
Grill seemed to spend Monday's game largely getting his feet back under him, scoring six points while making two of his seven 3-point attempts.
Mizzou's entry to play within an especially deep iteration of the SEC will not be easy: MU visits No. 2 Auburn (11-1) at 3 p.m. Saturday.
