Missouri isn't expected to fare well in the Southeastern Conference this season, but the Tigers encountered little resistance in a 99-44 victory over visiting Alabama A&M in a season opener Sunday night at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.

Frankie Hughes scored 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting for Missouri (1-0), which is coming off back-to-back last-place finishes in the SEC. Russell Woods had 12 points. Willie Jackson had 11 points and nine rebounds.

De'Edrick Petty scored 13 points for Alabama A&M (0-2). Tracy Burnett had six points and eight rebounds.

Missouri never trailed. It took more than two minutes before Cullen VanLeer made a 3-pointer to give the Tigers their first lead, but then the rout was on. The Tigers outscored the Bulldogs 11-2 over the first six minutes, went up 18-4 on a layup by Reed Nikko and took a 22-4 lead on a free throw by Willie Jackson.

The Tigers increased their lead to 23 points on two free throws by Terrence Phillips, went up by 30 on a jumper by Hughes and held a 32-point lead after Woods scored on a layup in the final minutes of the first half.

Missouri led 49-20 at the break and did not relent in the second period, starting the half with a 21-2 run. The Tigers took a 55-20 lead on a 3-pointer by Hughes, who later hit another 3-pointer to put his team up 70-22. Missouri went up by 52 points on a layup by Jordan Geist midway through the second half. The Tigers led by as many as 57 late in the game.

Missouri was picked to finish last among 14 teams in the SEC in the preseason media poll. The Tigers went 3-15 in conference play in each of coach Kim Anderson's first two seasons.