Box Score | Season Stats
 
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - - Freshman Seth Jackson scored a game-high 25 points in 19 minutes off the bench, and three other Bulldogs finished in double-figures as the Truman men's basketball team rolled to a 99-51 victory against Central Christian (Mo.) in its home opener Tuesday night.
 
After leading by just two at 12-10 with 13:44 to play in the first half, the Bulldogs (1-2) exploded, rattling off a 22-4 run spanning five and a half minutes to open up a 34-14 lead with 8:12 on the clock. Truman then carried a 46-25 lead into the halftime break.
 
Truman's high-pressure defense wore down the Saints (1-3) in the final 20 minutes, as the 'Dogs shot 53% (19-of-36) in the second half and put up 53 points to come up one point shy of the century mark. Seven different players scored in the second half for the Bulldogs, as the purple and white turned 15 second-half Saint turnovers into 22 points (12 on the fast-break) to coast to the victory.
 
Jackson, who made his regular season debut in the contest, hit eight field goals, eight free throws and a triple to post 25 points. He was joined in double-figures by fellow freshman Mike Carlson (17 points, 10 rebounds), junior Tom Norton (15 points, four assists) and sophomore Isaac Gardner (14 points, four three-pointers). The Bulldogs also made a living on the glass, out-rebounding CCCB 51-36 including 18-12 on the offensive end for 21 second-chance points. On the night, Truman out-scored the Saints 42-20 in the paint and 35-6 off turnovers.
 
Freshman Patrick Burmester grabbed nine rebounds and swatted three shots to go with his four points, as he was also one of five Bulldogs to record multiple steals on the evening. The win also marked the first collegiate head coaching win for Truman's first-year head coach Matt Woodley.
 
For the game, Truman shot 47.3% (35-for-74) from the floor, 29.6% (8-for-27) from three-point range and 70.0% (21-for-30) from the charity stripe. CCCB meanwhile hit just 30% of its field goals and only four triples. The Saints entered the night having topped the 100-point mark in each of its first three games, marking a 50-point separation from their average by the Bulldog defense.
 
The Bulldogs continue their nonconference schedule on Thursday night at Grand View (Iowa). Tipoff against the Vikings is set for 7:30 pm in Des Moines, Iowa.