Looking for their first victory of the 2024-2025 season, the Missouri Tigers faced the Howard Bison. The Tigers got the result they were looking for by beating the Bison 77-62 for their first victory.

Similar to the Tigers’ opening game against Memphis, the first 10 minutes of the game were sloppy. Neither team was able to score, but the Tigers’ defense seemed to be the calling card.

Halfway through the match, only 21 points had been scored between the two teams. That’s not what either team was looking for, especially considering Missouri’s slow start in its opener. Regardless, they consistently stayed ahead by around 10 points and did a good job getting to the free throw line.

The number of free throws made in Game 1 was a nightmare scenario and a major reason for the Tigers’ loss, which improved significantly against Howard. They outshot the Bison 26-31, and in truth, that was one of the only ways the Tigers were able to put up points all game.

Peripheral shooting was a major issue against the Bison and was arguably the reason the game was as close as it was. Missouri shot 3 of 22 on the night and all three came from guard Tamar Bates. The gap in perimeter shooting could be a problem for the Tigers if not corrected. Howard made 10 triples in 19 attempts, a much higher efficiency than the Tigers. Missouri found ways to score without the perimeter, but the extra points certainly would have helped.

“We just have to be able to rely on something else to be able to win games,” Bates said. “At the end of the day, our shots won’t always fall.”

Even though Howard rained down 10 threes, the Tigers excelled on the defensive side of the ball. In duels, the Tigers were rarely beaten and the number of deviations caused was disruptive. The Tigers finished the night with 11 steals while forcing 17 turnovers.

The way the Bison played made for a fast-paced game with lots of running down the field. The Bison also extended plays frequently and stretched out the game by going until the shot clock ended.

“It was just a matter of toughness on defense and being able to stay on the line and disrupt passes with a second or two seconds left on the shot clock,” Missouri forward Aidan Shaw said.

Shaw didn’t have the same statistical contribution as against Memphis, finishing with just four points and two rebounds in 26 minutes of action.

The leader on defense, as well as in terms of pace of play on offense, was sophomore guard Anthony Robinson II. It appears that Robinson is becoming a top guard for the Tigers as he continues to show off his explosiveness on offense and ability to disrupt the other end. Robinson finished with three interceptions on the night and wreaked havoc on both ends.

“You see how much he ignites the game and he’s very talented at doing that,” head coach Dennis Gates said.

As the game came to a close, the Bison cut the score more than the Tigers would have liked. With 4:38 left in the game, a triple by guard Marcus Dockery left Howard just four points behind. How the Tigers reacted after the narrow margin of a lead would be vital to the outcome and fortunately, they gave Gates the answer he was looking for. They played well on the field, but the vocality off the field is what propelled the Tigers’ response.

“In addition to the communication that our upperclassmen allowed each other to play with, they were connecting differently and challenging each other,” Gates said. “I didn’t have to talk much. These guys started talking to each other and I saw leadership.”

Missouri’s ability to come together in a tough period in vital moments of the game ultimately propelled them forward over the finish line.

It wasn’t the prettiest win, but the Tigers picked up a well-deserved home win to jumpstart a potential winning streak for their season. The win ended a 20-game losing streak for the Tigers, dating back to December 30, 2024, when the Tigers defeated Central Arkansas.

The Tigers have a seemingly easy home stretch ahead of them, taking on Eastern Washington next Monday, November 11th. They follow the Eagles with Mississippi Valley State, Pacific, Arkansas Pine Bluff and Lindenwood.

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