Published: Thursday, November 26, 2009
Updated: Saturday, November 7, 2009 4:10 AM CST

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri Tigers men’s basketball team has defeated division II Truman State 96-33 in its first exhibition game at Mizzou Arena.

The Tigers came storming out of the gate Friday evening, jumping out to a 23-3 lead early in the first half. They maintained a large lead throughout.

Missouri forward Laurence Bowers led the way, scoring 14 points and adding 12 rebounds. The Tigers shot 49 percent for the day and had five players in double figures, including freshman Michael Dixon, who scored 10 points in his first collegiate game.

The Tigers forced Truman State into 28 turnovers with Missouri coach Mike Anderson’s trademark “40 Minutes of Hell” defense. Twenty of those were steals by the Tigers.

Vesko Filchev was the high scorer for the Bulldogs, netting 8 points.