East, Bates power Missouri to 101-79 romp over UAPB

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Sean East II celebrates a three point basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Missouri’s Aidan Shaw, right, pulls down a rebound over Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Trejon Ware, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Rashad Williams, left, collides with Missouri’s Sean East II, right as he brings the ball up court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Joe French, right, shoots over Missouri’s Sean East II, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Trejon Ware, left, drives past Missouri’s Kaleb Brown, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Missouri head coach Dennis Gates, center, talks to his team as he stands between Jesus Carralero Martin, right, and Noah Carter, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Missouri forward Jesus Carralero Martin, right, knocks the ball from Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Ismael Plet, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach Solomon Bozeman shouts instructions to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Missouri’s Jesus Carralero Martin, left, tries to block the shot of Arkansas-Pine Bluff ‘s Kylen Milton, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — 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.

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