New Mizzou big man Shawn Phillips slams one home during the Tigers’ win over Howard on Monday. (Photo courtesy: SEC Sports)

NCAA Men’s Basketball12Final
Missouri (1-0)424688
Howard (0-1)264167

WASHINGTON, DC — The University of Missouri men’s basketball team began its new season with a big win on Monday.

The Tigers went to the nation’s capital to take on Howard University and left Burr Gymnasium with an 88-67 victory over the Bison.

New Mizzou big man Shawn Phillips Jr. posted a double-double in his debut, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebound to lead the Tigers.

Returning senior forward Mark Mitchell added nine points and six boards, as Missouri dominated Howard inside. The Tigers outrebounded the Bison 47-28 and shot 55.7% overall and 52.6% from three-point range.

Missouri led almost the entire game and built a 42-26 halftime lead behind balanced scoring and efficient ball movement.

“It was a good start for us,” Mizzou head coach Dennis Gates said. “We moved the ball good. We were active and aggressive, and we faced a little adversity. It was just a good start, a good way to begin the season all the way around.”

Mark Mitchell had nine points and six rebounds in Mizzou’s win over Howard on Monday. (Photo: Cedric Williams)

Freshman guard Jayden Stone provided a spark off the bench with 13 points on 5 of 7 shooting, while Jevon Porter and Luke Northweather combined for 16 points and 11 rebounds. Anthony Robinson II headed the backcourt with eight points, four assists and three steals. The Tigers forced 13 turnovers.

Howard stayed competitive behind Bryce Harris, who scored 27 points and hit four 3s. Alex Cotton added 20 points behind six 3s.

The Bison pulled to win nine midway through the second half at 55-46, thanks to a 20-9 stretch where the home team made 7-of-9 field goals, including six straight three-pointers.

Mizzou, however, would quickly stretch its lead back to a comfortable margin. The Tigers used a 14-3 spurt where they went 6-of-9 from the field and 2-of-3 from 3-point range to move in front by 21, 72-51. From there, MU coasted to a comfortable season-opening win.

“I wish every coach in the Power Five would put their team in a situation where they go on the road and face opponents like Howard, with great coaches, great environments,” Gates said. “From top to bottom, this experience is one that allowed our guys to get better.”

The Tigers will now trek back home to host their own home opener on Friday, November 7, when they’ll host Southeast Missouri State, which began its season by playing Saint Louis University on Monday.

Tip off for Friday’s contest at Mizzou Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

MISSOURI 88

##PlayerGSMINFG3PTFTORB-DRBREBPFATOBLKSTLPTS
15Phillips Jr.,Shawn*208-90-00-22-9113060016
25Mitchell,Mark*254-60-01-44-26421019
12Mack,Sebastian*194-110-31-40-11120019
00Robinson II,Anthony*281-61-25-70-44423038
14Porter,Jevon*282-41-22-24-26110007
17Stone,Jayden275-73-40-00-551330113
35Crews,Jacob124-72-30-02-130001010
05Barrett,T.O.184-61-20-03-03342109
45Northweather,Luke232-52-31-20-55121107
TMTEAM00-00-00-01-23000000
Totals20034-6110-1910-2116-31471816163688

HOWARD 67

2025-26 MISSOURI TIGERS MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocationTVResults
November 3, 2025 (Monday)6 pmAwayHowardWashington, D.C.W, 88-67 (1-0)
November 7, 2025 (Friday)7 pmHomeSoutheast MissouriMizzou Arena
November 9, 2025 (Sunday)1 pmHomeVMIMizzou Arena
November 12, 2025 (Wednesday)7 pmHomeMinnesotaMizzou Arena
November 17, 2025 (Monday)7 pmHomePrairie View A&MMizzou Arena
November 20, 2025 (Thursday)7 pmHomeSouth DakotaMizzou Arena
November 25, 2025 (Tuesday)7 pmHomeSouth Carolina StateMizzou Arena
November 28, 2025 (Friday)1 pmHomeCleveland StateMizzou Arena
December 2, 2025 (Tuesday)8 pmAwayNotre DameSouth Bend, Ind.
December 7, 2025 (Sunday)12 pmNeutralKansasKansas City, Mo. / T-Mobile Center
December 11, 2025 (Thursday)7 pmHomeAlabama StateMizzou Arena
December 14, 2025 (Sunday)1 pmHomeBethune-CookmanMizzou Arena
December 22, 2025 (Monday)7 pmNeutralIllinoisSt. Louis, Mo. / Enterprise Center
January 3, 2026 (Saturday)7:30 pmHomeFloridaMizzou Arena
January 7, 2026 (Tuesday)6 pmAwayKentuckyLexington, Ky.
January 10, 2026 (Saturday)5 pmAwayOle MissOxford, Miss.
January 14, 2026 (Tuesday)6 pmHomeAuburnMizzou Arena
January 17, 2026 (Saturday)2:30 pmAwayLSUBaton Rouge, La.
January 20, 2026 (Tuesday)8 pmHomeGeorgiaMizzou Arena
January 24, 2026 (Saturday)1 pmHomeOklahomaMizzou Arena
January 27, 2026 (Tuesday)8 pmAwayAlabamaTuscaloosa, Ala.
January 31, 2026 (Saturday)2:30 pmHomeMississippi StateMizzou Arena
February 7, 2026 (Saturday)12 pmAwaySouth CarolinaColumbia, S.C.
February 10, 2026 (Tuesday)8 pmAwayTexas A&MCollege Station, Texas
February 14, 2026 (Saturday)7:30 pmHomeTexasMizzou Arena
February 17, 2026 (Tuesday)8 pmHomeVanderbiltMizzou Arena
February 21, 2026 (Saturday)3 pmAwayArkansasFayetteville, Ark.
February 24, 2026 (Tuesday)8 pmHomeTennesseeMizzou Arena
February 28, 2026 (Saturday)12 pmAwayMississippi StateStarkville, Miss.
March 3, 2026 (Tuesday)6 pmAwayOklahomaNorman, Okla.
March 7, 2026 (Saturday)11 amHomeArkansasMizzou Arena