ST. LOUIS — The University of Missouri and Saint Louis University both opened the season with wins Monday.
Sean East II scored 21 points and Missouri breezed to a 101-79 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a season opener on Monday night.
East sank 7 of 8 shots with two 3-pointers and was 5-for-5 at the free-throw line for the Tigers. Nick Honor and reserve Tamar Bates both scored 18. Bates made 7 of 9 shots, including all three of his 3-pointers. Caleb Grill and Noah Carter added 15 points apiece. Grill had seven rebounds.
It was a two-man show for the Golden Lions. Kylen Milton scored 34 points, sinking 8 of 10 shots — with three 3s — and 15 of 20 foul shots. Joe French scored 30, but he made just 10 of 27 shots, 4 of 14 from distance.
Missouri is coming off a 25-10 record in its first season under coach Dennis Gates. The Tigers went 11-7 in the Southeastern Conference, finishing fourth, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Tigers are 6-0 all-time against the Golden Lions with all six games played in Missouri. The teams last played in 2015 when Missouri posted a 78-25 victory. It's the fewest points allowed by the Tigers since 1947.
UAPB went 10-21 last season and finished ninth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Terrence Hargrove Jr.'s 27 points helped Saint Louis defeat Southern Indiana 75-63 on Monday night in a season opener.
Hargrove added 15 rebounds for the Billikens. Larry Hughes Jr. added 12 points while going 4 of 11 (3 for 6 from 3-point range), He also had three steals. Gibson Jimerson had nine points and was 3 of 10 shooting (1 for 5 from 3-point range).
The Screaming Eagles were led by Jordan Tillmon, who posted 15 points and eight rebounds. Jack Campion added nine points, four assists and two steals for Southern Indiana. Kiyron Powell also put up eight points and two blocks.
