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(AP) -- Alex Oriakhi had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Earnest Ross added 16 points and No. 14 Missouri beat Nicholls State 74-54 on Friday night.
 
The Tigers (3-0) put to rest their tendency to start slowly - at least for one game - after senior forward Laurence Bowers promised to fix the team's energy problems after Missouri shot 23 percent in the first half Tuesday night against Alcorn State.

 Missouri used a 7-0 run within the first four minutes and wouldn't relinquish the lead after that.
 
Missouri shot 22 of 51, including 39.3 percent in the first half, bettering its 31 percent from its first two games.

The Tigers also hit 7 of 12 from 3-point range and outrebounded Nicholls State 41-25.
 
Fred Hunter scored 22 points and T.J. Carpenter added 14 for Nicholls State (0-2).

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