Crowe sets single-game freshman scoring record in Mizzou's win over SIUE

COLUMBIA — Missouri basketball (2-1) bounced back from its first loss of the season in a 96-58 victory against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (2-2) on Monday. Leading the way for the Tigers was Jason Crowe Jr., who set the single-game freshman scoring record in the victory.

Crowe poured in a career-best 34 points and shot 11-for-16 shooting from the field. His 34-point performance marked the most points scored in a game by a Tiger since the 2023-24 season. The game was also a bounce back for Crowe, who shot 3-for-18 in the Tigers' 90-84 loss to Saint Louis.

In the scoring barrage, Crowe found the bottom of the net in a variety of ways, between deep triples, smooth middies and crafty buckets in the paint. He finished 4-for-8 from distance and 8-for-9 from the free-throw line.

Before Crowe's stellar performance, Missouri's star forward Mark Mitchell went down on the second possession of the game with a face injury and did not return. Mitchell spent over a minute on the floor fully covering his face with a towel. His status and the specificity of the injury is currently unknown.

Without Mitchell for practically the entirety of the contest, freshman forward Toni Bryant took on a higher workload. The five-star freshman added 18 points, six rebounds and three assists, spotting up for corner threes and scoring a variety of points in the paint during the second half.

Missouri's accuracy from three was seen in more than just the Tigers' two freshman, as the team shot 12-for-23 from distance. Kennard Davis Jr. shot 3-5 from three, providing a spark off the bench similar to his 19-point season opener.

Starting forward Bryson Tiller was the defensive catalyst in the post, securing a team-high seven rebounds and added 11 points and a block. As Tiller controlled the paint, Missouri forced 14 turnovers and turned the takeaways into 20 points. One of those turnovers came courtesy of Jamier Jones, who sprinted down the court for a standout windmill slam. The athletic transfer added ten points and three rebounds off the bench.

The lone area the Tigers trailed in was offensive rebounds, allowing 13 offensive boards compared to the eight they secured.

Missouri will suit up next against Marquette (2-0) in the United Center at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

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