COLUMBIA, Mo. — Laurence Bowers matched his career high with 23 points despite taking just one shot in the second half, leading No. 16 Missouri to an easy 72-56 victory over Appalachian State in its first game since embattled guard Michael Dixon announced he would transfer on Saturday.

Earnest Ross came off the bench to add 13 points and eight rebounds for the Tigers (6-1), which has won 69 in a row at home against nonconference opponents dating to 2005. Two more subs scored in double figures — Keion Bell had 12 points and Tony Criswell had 10.

Jay Canty had a career high 29 points for Appalachian State (1-6), which has lost six in a row since opening with a victory over NAIA Montreat.

Providence 73, Mississippi State 63: Kadeem Batts scored 32 points and LaDontae Henton added 18, leading Providence past Mississippi State.

The Friars (6-2) started the game with a 13-1 run and never trailed. Batts scored six points during that stretch, during which Mississippi State (2-5) went 0-for-8 from the field.

Wendell Lewis came off the bench strong for Mississippi State, scoring a career-high 16 points. But the Bulldogs shot just 35.9 percent (23 of 64), including 3 of 14 by Craig Sword.

Ole Miss 80, Rutgers 67: Marshall Henderson scored 18 points, including consecutive 3-point shots in a decisive 14-2 surge in the final seven minutes, to lift Mississippi to lead Ole Miss.

Ole Miss (6-0) snapped a 55-55 tie with the winning outburst, as the Rebels placed five players in double figures, highlighted by Murphy Holloway with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Reginald Buckner scored 14 points, Ladarius White had 13 and Jarvis Summers added 12.

Villanova 62, Vanderbilt 52: Mouphtaou Yarou scored 16 points to lead Villanova.

Yarou made 10 of 12 free throws and JayVaughn Pinkston added 13 off the bench as the Wildcats (4-3) snapped a three-game losing streak.

The Wildcats led by eight early in the second half, but the Commodores pulled to within 46-44 with 7:18 left. Vanderbilt (2-4) made just two baskets the rest of the way and shot just 36.4 percent (8 of 22) after halftime.

Vanderbilt finished with just four offensive rebounds — all coming in the first half.

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