University of Missouri
13-0
Charlotte
7-4
@MizzouWBB Ties School Record 13-Game Winning Streak in 88-71 Victory Over Charlotte
12/29/2015 9:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Jordan Frericks Scores 16 Points and Grabs 15 Rebounds
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Playing in front of 6,154 fans at Mizzou Arena, Mizzou Women's Basketball (13-0) extended its best start in program history and matched the longest win streak in program history on Tuesday evening with an 88-71 win over Charlotte (7-4). Four Tigers scored in double figures, led by junior forward Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.), who posted her 20th double-double of her career with 16 points and 15 rebounds.
"I'm appreciative of all the fans that showed up tonight. It was an incredible atmosphere," head coach Robin Pingeton said. "I'm really happy for our players to finish the nonconference schedule 13-0. It's really exciting for us. I can assure you that we're nowhere near satisfied with the big picture this season."
Joining Frericks in double digits was junior guard Sierra Michaelis (Mercer, Mo.) with 14 points, freshman forward Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) with 13 points, and senior guard Juanita Robinson (Chicago, Ill.) with 12. Porter was one rebound away from a double-double, finishing with nine boards. Redshirt junior guard Lindsey Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) led the team in assists with five.
The Tigers dominated play inside the paint, outscoring Charlotte 38-24 inside the paint and outrebounding the 49ers, 42-31. Mizzou shot better than 50 percent from the field for the fifth time this season, converting 33-of-65 field goals (50.8 percent)
After an evenly matched first quarter, the Tigers trailed the 49ers 16-15. Charlotte scored the first basket of the second quarter, but Mizzou responded with a 20-4 run to gain the lead for the remainder of the game. By the end of the run, Mizzou had a 13-point lead, 35-22, with 3:06 to play in the first half. Lindsey Cunningham and Michaelis each had five points in the run. The Tigers shot 51.6 percent from the floor (16-of-31) in the half, outscored Charlotte 29-14 in the second quarter, and led 48-30 at the break.
Frericks scored 10 of her points and snagged 10 rebounds in the second half as the Tigers maintained its double-digit lead for the entire second half. Mizzou led by as much as 21 in the game, occurring twice in the second half. The first occurrence came after a three-pointer from Robinson with 5:36 remaining in the third quarter, and the second 31 seconds later after a successful jumper from Michaelis.
Mizzou will begin SEC play in its next contest, Monday, Jan. 4 against Tennessee. Tipoff from Mizzou Arena is scheduled for 6:00 pm and will be broadcast on the SEC Network. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets at the Mizzou Ticket Office in advance of the game to avoid lines.
For all the latest on Mizzou Women's Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter (@MizzouWBB) and like the team on Facebook (Mizzou Women's Basketball) and Instagram (MizzouWBB).
POSTGAME NOTES
- With the win, Mizzou improves to 13-0 for the first time in program history. The 13-game win streak is now tied for the longest in program history, matching the mark set from Jan. 30 – March 9, 1985 when the 1984-85 team went 22-9 and won the Big 8 with a 12-2 mark in league play under Joann Rutherford.
- Mizzou saw 6,154 fans pack Mizzou Arena on Tuesday, marking the sixth-largest crowd in program history and the second-highest at Mizzou Arena (Mizzou Arena record is 7,585 vs. Stanford in 2004).
- Mizzou now leads the all-time series against Charlotte, 2-0. This was the first ever meeting between the two programs inside Mizzou Arena.
- Mizzou assisted on 17-of-33 field goals on Tuesday. Mizzou has assisted on 72 of its last 98 field goals over the last three games.
- Mizzou shot better than 50 percent for the fifth time this season and second consecutive game. Since shooting 42-percent in its win over Southeast Missouri, Mizzou is shooting 49.2-percent from the floor over its last five games, assisting on 108 of 157 field goals (69 percent).
- Mizzou shot just 35-percent in the first quarter, but exploded for a 10-for-14 clip in the second quarter which sparked a 20-4 Mizzou run to open a double-digit lead at the break.
- Mizzou went just 4-for-13 to begin the game, but connected on 29 of its next 52 (55.8 percent).
- Mizzou outscored Charlotte, 29-14, in the second quarter and is now outscoring opponents by an average of 22.1-13.1 in the second quarter this season. Mizzou has outscored its opponent in each of the last 12 games and since being outscored in the second quarter in season-opener at Missouri State, Mizzou is outscoring its opponents 23.1-12.8.
- Nine different players scored in the first half for Mizzou and 11 different players tallied points in the win.
- Senior guard Juanita Robinson scored 12 points on Tuesday, marking the first time that she has scored in double-figures this season. It was the first time that she scored in double-figures since Feb. 2, 2015, at LSU.
- Robinson's 12 points were more than her previous three games combined.
- Junior forward Jordan Frericks tallied her third double-double of the season on Tuesday. It was also the 20th of her career. She finished with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Her 15 rebounds are a season-high and her most since posting 17 at Bradley last December.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Mizzou head coach Robin Pingeton
Opening Statement…
"I appreciate you all being here. I'm appreciative of all the fans that showed up tonight. It was an incredible atmosphere. I'm really happy for our players to finish the nonconference schedule 13-0. It's really exciting for us. I can assure you that we're nowhere near satisfied with the big picture this season. We're pleased with the growth we've seen. I thought at times tonight we looked sharp and other times we didn't look quite as good. Overall, I was really proud with how we came back after Christmas break. We're really looking forward to conference play beginning next week."
On Frericks' strong performance tonight…
"I think we have such an unselfish team. Our scoring is so much more balanced then it has ever been in the past. I think we also have more depth. When I think about Jordan, she's just so much more explosive than she was a year ago. She's finishing so well at the rim. She's relentless going to the boards. She's doing a lot of things really well for us. You expect that out of an upperclassman. She got a lot of minutes and experience last year under her belt. What she particularly does well is not forcing the issue. She takes what's available. She has such a well-rounded game right now and she's a heck of an athlete."
On the team's energy and hustle tonight and throughout the season…
"We take a lot of pride in that. That's something we talk about before every game. We've been dominating and creating those 50-50 plays. It's all about that extra effort. I know it's important for all of us on how we play for the full 40 minutes. What we can control is how hard we play. We owe that to our fans who have been so great with coming out and supporting our team."
On the strong attendance this season at Mizzou Arena and how it has caused a buzz in the Columbia community…
"I think it definitely has a different feel out there. There's a buzz and I think a part of it is because of having so many local kids on the team that are really talented. We've got a pretty darn good group of girls that suit up and put that Mizzou jersey on. I think we play a fun and exciting style. Our fans have been great about coming out and supporting us. I can't tell you what a difference that makes."
On how she'll prepare the team heading into next Monday's SEC opener vs. Tennessee…
"I don't think I have to do much at all. That's just the kind of group we have this year. We understand what's in front of us with Tennessee and SEC play beginning next week. Our first handful of games in the SEC are against pretty much all the ranked teams in the conference. From a mentality standpoint they know what's in front of them and they're excited about the next step."
On Lindsey Cunningham's contributions to the team so far this season…
"I think she has really evolved into one heck of a point guard. She's so steady for us. She's got a great calming effect on her teammates. She does a great job of pushing the ball in transition. She's gotten so much better with her ball handle and decision making. She's also done a great job from a leadership standpoint. It has been fun to watch the growth and progression for her at the point guard position."
Freshman forward Cierra Porter
On the team struggling with their shooting in the first quarter…
"I don't think it was rust. Sometimes you come out hot and sometimes you come out cold. We have to get our energy from our defense if our shots aren't falling. I think we all did a good job of picking that up."
On how the team managed to get in good position for offensive rebounds…
"Coach Pingeton talked to us before the game on how we should always be relentless on the offensive boards. That's something we've tried to focus on this year. Jordan (Frericks) has taught me a little something about offensive rebounding and I think we did a good job with that tonight."
On the team's perfect record in nonconference play…
"We're really excited to have not lost in nonconference play. At the same time though we know those games are all done now. We want to focus on the next game. While we love the strong start we know that can't be our focus."
Junior forward Jordan Frericks
On if she played tonight with a chip on her shoulder…
"I try to every game. I think our whole team tries to play that way as well and we want to show what we have."
On how the team fared with Sophie Cunningham in foul trouble tonight…
"I think Juanita (Robinson) did a great job stepping up. I think she had a great game. She knocked down some really important shots. That's what our team is all about. If Sophie's in foul trouble then we have another player right behind her to step up. Juanita did a great job with that tonight."
On how the team came out strong in the second half…
"As a team we talked at halftime about winning the third quarter. We wanted to throw the first punch and get back in the game. We wanted to go out there and be the aggressor on the court."
On how the team has specifically improved this season versus years' past…
"I think there's so many areas where we have improved. They might be small areas and they might be big areas. Our confidence has been growing drastically. Each player has gotten more experience on the court. Collectively, we have worked together and improved a lot. People have been working on their shots, their defense and other things."
On the team's mindset heading into the SEC schedule…
"We're pumped. We're so excited. How our nonconference schedule went we know what we're capable of. We're excited to have our next opponent in Tennessee next week."
