Missouri 72, Gardner-Webb 63: Earnest Ross had a team-high 17 points, as the Tigers used a late surge to pull away from the visiting Runnin’ Bulldogs in a game that was part of the Las Vegas Invitational.

Jordan Clarkson added 14 points while Johnathan Williams III had seven points and 17 rebounds for Missouri (4-0). Jabari Brown contributed 13 points for the Tigers, who shot just 2-for-14 from 3-point range.

Texas A&M transfer guard Naji Hibbert narrowly missed a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds for the Runnin’ Bulldogs (2-3). Jerome Hill also tallied 17 for Gardner-Webb.

Gardner-Webb kept the game close, never trailing by more than five in the opening half. Hibbert scored 14 in the first half, including the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ last seven, as Missouri led 31-29 at the break.

A Hibbert free-throw with just over 11 minutes left in the half made it 48-45 for Missouri, but the Tigers held the Runnin’ Bulldogs scoreless over the next 4:25, ripping off a 14-0 run to open a 17-point advantage. Brown scored six of the 14 points during the run while Williams III added three.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Missouri interim coach Tim Fuller improved to 4-0 in place of a suspended Frank Haith. … The Tigers extended their non-conference home winning streak to 76. … Gardner-Webb is 1-8 all-time against the SEC.