University of Missouri
1-0,0-0SEC
Howard
0-1,0-0MEAC
Men’s Basketball Wins Opener over Howard, 88-67
11/3/2025 9:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Mizzou men's basketball team went on the road to open the 2025-26 season, coming away with an 88-67 win at Howard on Monday night – its largest road win in an opener in 84 years.
The 21-point victory marks Mizzou's first on the road in a season opener since 2003 and its largest road win in the first game of the season since a 52-29 win over Saint Louis to start the 1941-42 campaign.
MIZZOU LEADERS
Senior Shawn Phillips Jr. led the Tigers in his first game in the Black & Gold – securing a double-double with team-high tallies of 16 points and 11 rebounds. The senior center also scored his 16 points on just nine field-goal attempts as he made 8-of-9 from the field in the winning effort.
Graduate Jayden Stone added 13 points – making 3-of-4 from 3-point range – while classmate Jacob Crews chipped in 10 points on the night.
Sophomore T.O. Barrett paced the Mizzou attack with four assists, while junior Anthony Robinson II led the Tigers with three steals.
GAME RECAP
The Tigers came out hot from the field to start, taking the lead for good in the opening minutes. Mizzou made six of its first seven shots in grabbing a 16-7 lead and then added a further 10-2 spurt to move in front by 15, 26-11.
Mizzou maintained its lead from its hot start and took a 42-26 lead into the locker room.
The Tigers would stretch their advantage to 20 early in the second half, 46-26, before Howard made a run. The Bison pulled to win nine, 55-46, thanks to a 20-9 stretch where the home team made 7-of-9 field goals, including all six of its 3-pointers.
Mizzou, however, would quickly stretch its lead back to a comfortable margin. The Tigers used a 14-3 spurt where they went 6-of-9 from the field and 2-of-3 from 3-point range to move in front by 21, 72-51. From there, MU coasted to the 88-67 win in the season opener.
GAME STATS
The Tigers made 55.7 percent of their field-goal attempts, including a 10-of-19 clip (52.6 percent) from 3-point range. Mizzou, meanwhile, held the Bison to just 35.5 percent shooting. Missouri also held a 47-28 advantage in rebounds and a 46-16 edge in points in the paint.
UP NEXT
The Tigers return to Columbia for their home opener. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on Friday night at Mizzou Arena with MU hosting Southeast Missouri.
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