Xavier's Naji Marshall, center, bobbles a pass between Missouri's Jeremiah Tilmon, left, and Kevin Puryear, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
L.G. PattersonCOLUMBIA, MO. • Cuonzo Martin’s Missouri basketball team came out of its long layoff and blasted Xavier 71-56 Tuesday night at Mizzou Arena, starting a pivotal week with its most impressive win of the season.
After falling behind 9-3 in the opening minutes against their visitors from the Big East, the Tigers unleashed a 17-0 run to gain control midway through the first half.