Tari Eason scored 19 points to lead a balanced offense and LSU never trailed in a 76-68 victory over Missouri in a second-round game in the Southeastern Conference tournament on Thursday in Tampa.

Darius Days scored 16 points and Efton Reid had 12 points for the Tigers. Reid made all six of his field-goal attempts in his first double-digit scoring effort against an SEC opponent and his highest point total since Dec. 22.

Xavier Pinson, a transfer from Missouri, and Eric Gaines added 11 points each for fifth-seeded LSU (22-10), which will face No. 15 Arkansas, the fourth seed, in the quarterfinals Friday afternoon. Arkansas won both regular-season meetings with LSU.

DaJuan Gordon scored 19 points, Trevon Brazile had 15 and Javon Pickett added 14 to lead 12th-seeded Missouri (12-21), which defeated 13th-seeded Ole Miss 72-60 in the first round Wednesday night.

Kobe Brown scored five points as Missouri started the second half with a 10-4 run and pulled within 43-33.

Reid had six points and an assist during a 14-2 run that gave LSU a 57-35 lead.

LSU, which last month scored the first 15 points of the second half to take control in a 75-55 victory over Missouri, had a strong start to the first half this time. Pinson scored seven points and Days had five as LSU took a 12-2 lead.

Brown's two layups provided Missouri's only points during the first eight minutes. Eason scored five points and Days added a 3-pointer as LSU expanded the lead to 30-8.

Even while smothering Missouri with its defense, LSU did not commit a foul until 7:47 remained in the first half.

LSU's scoring pace slowed, but Eason's jumper still pushed the lead to 34-9 before Missouri had its best offensive stretch of the half. Gordon made two 3-pointers and Ronnie DeGray III made one to pull Missouri within 34-18.

Pinson's two free throws ended Missouri's 9-0 run and LSU held a 39-23 lead at halftime.

LSU scored 21 points off Missouri's 15 first-half turnovers.

--Field Level Media