The 25th-ranked Missouri Tigers opened their 2011-12 season on Friday night with a 83-68 win over Southeast Missouri State. The game also marked the regular season debut of new Tigers head coach Frank Haith, who came to Columbia from Miami (FL) during the offseason.
The Tigers were up just two points at halftime, but they started strong in the second half and pushed that lead to double digits by the 14:38 mark. Southeast Missouri State would not come within single digits again.
Marcus Denmon and Ricadro Ratliffe led Missouri with 20 points and 8 rebounds apiece. Kim English added 19 points, while Phil Pressey scored 10.
The Tigers are back in action on Monday night, when they host the Mercer Bears.
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