Nov. 21, 1999

Box Score

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Tajudeen Soyoye scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds as Missouri found its shooting touch and beat Western Carolina 85-68 on Sunday.

Missouri (3-1) shot 49 percent from the field, well above its season average of 34 percent.

Josh Kroenke, who was held scoreless in Missouri's first three games, hit five 3-pointers for 15 points. As a team, Missouri shot a season best 41 percent from 3-point range.

The 6-foot-9 Soyoye was the only Missouri big man to play against Western Carolina and responded with a career high in points.

Keyon Dooling, averaging 18.7 points a game as Missouri's leading scorer, was held to seven points.

After the Catamounts took the lead 33-32, Missouri responded with a 14-2 run just before the half to take the lead for good. Western Carolina narrowed the gap to five early in the second half, but would never get closer as the margin hovered in double digits the remainder of the game.

Jarvis Hayes had a game high 21 points to lead Western Carolina (0-2), which has now opened three consecutive seasons 0-2. David Whitmore added 13 points and nine rebounds for the Catamounts.

Missouri, winner of three consecutive games, plays next on Nov. 27 against Morgan State. Western Carolina will look for its first win in a home opener against Lees-McRae on Nov. 23.