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Jabari Brown nets 12 in debut for Missouri

South Carolina State v Missouri

COLUMBIA, MO - DECEMBER 17: Jabari Brown #32 of the Missouri Tigers shoots on a fast break as Shaquille Mitchell #12 of the South Carolina State Bulldogs defends during the game at Mizzou Arena on December 17, 2012 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Frank Haith has to rely on a ton of transfers this season. Quite possibly the most important of all of them debuted tonight in Jabari Brown.

Brown, a 6-5 swingman who came from Oregon, finished with 12 points in a 102-51 home win over South Carolina State. In all, Brown went for his 12 on 3-for-9 shooting, 1-for-7 from three-point range and 5-for-6 from the free throw line. He chipped in three assists, a rebound and two turnovers in 20 minutes off the bench.

Many believe Brown is the missing piece that will steady Missouri, who needed a little better guard play since Michael Dixon decided to leave the team. Brown’s off to a solid start.

The transfers have been doing fine without him, though. Earnest Ross had a team-high 16 in a balanced effort from Missouri where five players finished in double-figures. In all, 10 players played at least 15 minutes as well.

I guess now this puts Brown in front as the newcomer of the night between himself, UNLV’s Khem Birch and Georgia Tech’s Solomon Poole. All three players are eligible tonight for their first game action.

David Harten is a sportswriter and college basketball blogger. You can follow him on Twitter at @David_Harten.