GAME NOTES: The Missouri Tigers will tip off a two-game homestand at Mizzou Arena on Thursday night, as they take on the Elon Phoenix in non-conference action.

After a sluggish 2-3 start to the season, Elon has surged above .500 with a three-game winning streak. The Phoenix captured a solid road victory over Miami-Ohio on Nov. 30 (70-68), then claimed a couple of convincing wins against lower-level competition versus Virginia-Lynchburg (111-55) and Central Pennsylvania (117-73).

Missouri faced its first road test of the season on Dec. 5 and lost its SEC/Big 12 Challenge contest against Oklahoma, 82-63. The setback halted a two-game winning streak for the Tigers and dropped them to 4-4 on the season.

Elon and Missouri have never before played one another in men's basketball.

The Phoenix did what was expected of them against a lower-level opponent in their most recent bout, as they outshot Central Pennsylvania from the field, 61 percent to 35.1 percent, and dominated the rebounding battle (56-36) in the easy 44-point victory. Tanner Samson led the way with 25 points and 11 rebounds while knocking down 7-of-12 from 3-point range. Kevin Blake netted 19 points, Dmitri Thompson tallied 18 points and seven rebounds and Luke Eddy logged 15 points and six assists.

Scoring points hasn't been an issue for Elon this season, as it shoots 44.4 percent from the field for 78.5 ppg while boasting positive margins in the rebounding (+3.8) and turnover (+2.0) battles, all of which help combat a modest scoring defense (67.5 ppg). Although Samson (13.8 ppg) shoots less than 40 percent from the field overall, he's made 31-of-68 from beyond the arc (.456). Elijah Bryant (13.6 ppg) and Eddy (11.9 ppg, 2.9 apg) are both solid complementary options.

The Tigers were no match for the Sooners in their latest contest, as they fell behind by double digits at the half and could never recover en route to a 19- point loss. They shot only 42.4 percent from the field on the night and committed a game-high 16 turnovers, while Oklahoma was on fire from the field at 57.4 percent. Johnathan Williams III posted team highs in points (16) and rebounds (eight) but he also committed five turnovers. Montaque Gill-Caeser and Namon Wright scored 15 and 12 points, respectively.

On the season, Missouri has done little to impress on the offensive end of the court, as it scores only 63.9 ppg on 42.3 percent field goal shooting while committing 2.1 more turnovers per game than its opponents. Luckily the team has been bailed out on occasion by a scoring defense that yields only 66.4 ppg. Gill-Caesar shoots less than 39 percent from the field but generates enough volume to put up a team-best 14.0 ppg. Williams is the only other player in double figures with 11.1 ppg to go with 5.6 rpg.

While Elon's offense has been prolific this season, its numbers have certainly been aided by some soft matchups and it'll be hard-pressed to light up the scoreboard against a solid Missouri defensive attack. Expect the Tigers to get back on the winning track in front of their home crowd.