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Earnest Ross scores season-high 23 against former team as No. 17 Missouri tops Auburn 91-77

Associated Press
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Missouri's Earnest Ross, top, shoots over Auburn's Shaquille Johnson, right, and past Rob Chubb, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) (The Associated Press)

Missouri's Earnest Ross (33) celebrates in front of the Missouri bench after making a three-point shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Auburn Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in Columbia, Mo. Ross is a transfer from Auburn. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) (The Associated Press)

Keion Bell scored 24 points and Earnest Ross added 23, both season highs, as No. 17 Missouri used another strong second half to beat Auburn 91-77 on Saturday.

Ross hit five 3-pointers off the bench in his first game against his former team. The 6-foot-5, 222-pound guard played two seasons at Auburn, leading the team with 13.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

The teams combined for 49 fouls and 69 free throws but the slogging pace didn't seem to affect Missouri (16-5, 5-3 Southeastern Conference), which shot 54.5 percent from the floor after shooting 38 percent in a 73-70 loss at LSU on Wednesday.

Frankie Sullivan led Auburn (8-13, 2-6) with 12 points, while Rob Chubb and Chris Denson both had 10.