COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Its an old cliché; winning on the road in college basketball is no easy task.As a visiting opponent, having only seven players on scholarship doesnt make it any easier.It didnt seem to faze No. 20 Arizona, which looked polished and poised as it defeated Missouri for the third consecutive season, cruising to a 79-60 victory Saturday in its first true road game of the season.Rawle Alkins led the way for the Wildcats with 19 points and nine rebounds. Kobi Simmons had 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting, and Kadeem Allen added 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists.Were going through a lot right now, Arizona coach Sean Miller said. How we practice and every game, its just really crucial for us. I think that in short time, Im hopeful we can get some guys back, but in the meantime, this was a meaningful game. ... Im proud of our guys effort and approach tonight.The Wildcats (8-2) jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first 3:12, eventually taking a 25-8 lead with 10:29 remaining in the first half. From that point, Missouri outscored Arizona 28-16 in the half, including a 7-0 run to end the opening 20 minutes.The Tigers (5-4) continued to chip away at Arizonas lead, eventually cutting the deficit to 45-41 early in the second half. However, the Wildcats responded with a 26-4 run that included a Missouri scoring drought of 6:59, halting any momentum the Tigers had mustered.I thought we did great job of coming back, Missouri coach Kim Anderson said. I was really proud of our guys and the way they competed. In the second half early, we had some chances, and then they went on a great run and for all practical purposes, put the game out of reach.Kevin Puryear had a team-best 11 points and seven rebounds. Leading scorer Frankie Hughes was held in check by the Wildcats backcourt, scoring 10 points on 2-of-13 shooting. Russell Woods had eight points and six rebounds, and Cullen VanLeer added eight points, all in the first half.A reported crowd of over 10,000 was on hand for the only currently ranked opponent on Missouris home schedule.VanLeer attributed the Tigers comeback efforts to the home crowd energy.The magnitude of the crowd was really nice to have. We appreciated everyone that came out. We were upset we couldnt get the win today, but hopefully we can continue to get bigger crowds and itll help us get rhythm and flow in the game, VanLeer said.Arizona dominated the glass, outrebounding Missouri 46-28, its worst rebounding margin of the season.The Wildcats led wire-to-wire despite nearly doubling Missouris turnovers, 15-8, and committing 22 fouls to the Tigers 11. Missouri shot 66.7 percent from the free throw line, including 9 of 17 in the second half.BIG PICTUREArizona: The Wildcats entered the game shooting 36.6 percent from 3-point range, but caught fire early against the Tigers, shooting 54.2 percent. Missouri made just 1 of 8 3-point attempts in the second half while the Wildcats made 6 of 10. Missouri was coming off a season-high 3-point output against Miami (Ohio).Missouri: A tenacious on-ball defender, Missouri point guard Terrence Phillips has struggled with foul trouble in recent games. In Mondays 81-55 win over Miami (Ohio) Phillips played only 10 minutes in the second half, finishing with four fouls. He picked up his third foul 3:56 into the second half, limiting him to just 16 minutes against the Wildcats.PIVOTAL MOMENTWoods received a bounce pass in the lane on a fast break and gathered for a two-handed slam in front of the Missouri student section that would have cut the deficit to 45-43, but missed the dunk. On the ensuing Arizona possession, Woods was whistled for a foul, leading to two free throws by Arizona forward Dusan Ristic, who finished with 12 points and six rebounds.LET DOWNFreshman 7-footer Lauri Markkanen entered the game as Arizonas leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 17.8 points and 7.2 rebounds. Against Missouri, the native of Finland had a season-low eight points to go with six rebounds, and fouled out with 2:53 remaining.Puryear discussed his approach to defending Markkanen.Just being physical with him, Puryear said. Not letting him get comfortable with where he was on the floor with the ball. He likes to operate in the mid-post area, so I tried to eliminate that.UP NEXTArizona: hosts Grand Canyon on Wednesday.Missouri: hosts Eastern Illinois next Saturday. Ray Allen Jersey Large .J. -- Seven games into a disappointing season, New York Giants defensive catalyst Jason Pierre-Paul is getting the feeling hes back. Wholesale Custom Thunder Shirts . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. http://www.customthunderjersey.com/ . Its sharpness matched my mind. This was no night to go to sleep. Custom Thunder T-shirts . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Cheap Custom Thunder Jersey . The 25-year-old Japanese star has officially been posted by his club team, the Rakuten Golden Eagles. BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Mike White threw for 316 yards and four touchdowns and Western Kentucky rolled to a 45-7 victory over North Texas on Saturday.Western Kentucky (8-3, 6-1) held the Mean Green (4-5, 2-4) to 232 total yards of offense, just 55 in the first half, and didnt give up a score until the game was well out of reach.The defending Conference USA champion Hilltoppers won their fifth straight and control the race for the conferences East Division title. The Hilltoppers can lock a spot in the conference championship game with a win at Marshall on Nov. 26.White connected with Taywan Taylor in the first quarter for touchdown passes of 64 and 75 yards in the first six plays of the game.We wanted to start the game off early and fast, and try to take their will, Taylor said. We did a good job of that.Taylor led with 166 yards receiving and three scores. Anthony Wales had 121 yards rushing and ran for a 3-yard TD to put Western Kentucky up 31-0 at the half.Western Kentucky had 543 yards of offense for 7.3 yards per play.Andrew Tucker ran for a 71-yard TD run in the third quarter to avoid the shutout for North Texas. Our defense got off the field and we shut them down, Western Kentucky coach Jeff Brohm said. Our defense was dominant.Alabama transfer Alec Morris stepped in at quarterback for North Texas, replacing freshman Mason Fiine who fumbled off a sack in the second quarter.dddddddddddd. Morris was 14 of 26 for 108 yards passing with an interception.Western Kentucky capitalized off the sack fumble forced by Joe Brown, and scored on the next play with a 33-yard strike from White to Nicholas Norris. Norris added another touchdown grab in the third quarter.Since 2013, the Hilltoppers are 13-1 in November, and 9-1 in three years under Brohm.Were at the point now where you win and advance and if you lose, you dont, Brohm said. Thats what makes it so exciting . Theres always something riding on the games. Every game matters. I think when thats the way it is, you have to enjoy the ride.THE TAKEAWAYWKU receiver Nicholas Norris had 66 yards receiving at halftime to reach 1,000 yards on the season. He joined Taylor (1,340 yards) as the first WKU wide receiver duo to have 1,000-yards receiving in the same season. Norris finished with 90 yards and two TDs.North Texas lost its third straight and must win out to become bowl eligible under first-year coach Seth Littrell.UP NEXTWestern Kentucky will have a week off before wrapping up the regular season at struggling Marshall on Nov. 26.North Texas hosts Southern Mississippi next Saturday. ' ' '