Missouri takes high-octane offense into South Dakota game

Missouri is undefeated this season behind a high-powered offense averaging 91.4 points per game.

The Tigers (5-0) will try to continue their winning ways on Thursday night when they host South Dakota in a non-conference game in Columbia, Mo.

Missouri is coming off a 91-73 victory Monday against visiting Prairie View A&M, putting six players in double figures in scoring. Jacob Crews came off the bench to score a game-high 20 points, going 4 of 5 from 3-point range. He also grabbed eight rebounds.

Good shot selection has been a trademark for the Tigers. They're ranked fourth in Division I at 56.4% from the field and are 11th in 3-point shooting at 44%. By their early standards, Monday's game was subpar, as they finished at 51.6% from the floor and 43.5% from beyond the arc.

"I thought our guys were able to read the game and just play it the right way and get off the basketball, then find the next open man," Missouri coach Dennis Gates said.

The Tigers have five players averaging double figures on scoring, led by Mark Mitchell at 18 points per game and Jayden Stone at 13.6.

While Missouri hasn't lost yet, the Coyotes (3-2) have logged three straight wins since opening setbacks to Utah Tech and then-No. 23 Creighton. They posted an 83-78 victory over Western Michigan on Sunday after Uzziah Buntyn came off the bench to score 19 points, going 5 of 7 from 3-point range.

South Dakota is scoring 89.6 points per game behind a balanced attack that has eight players averaging at least 6.7 points per contest. Isaac Bruns leads the way at a career-high 17.4, while Shey Eberwein adds 10.4 and Buntyn 10.

The Coyotes were picked for a fifth-place finish in the Summit League, while Bruns was a first-team all-league preseason pick. They are tied for 16th in Division I with an average of 16.2 offensive rebounds per game.

--Field Level Media