University of Missouri
Tennessee
#23 @MizzouWBB Opens SEC Play Against #13 Tennessee Monday
1/2/2016 4:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
First women's basketball matchup of two ranked opponents at Mizzou Arena
| Opponent | Location | Day/Time | Media |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs. #13 Tennessee | Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Mo. | Monday, Jan. 4, 6 p.m. CT | Game Notes: Mizzou | Tennessee TV: SEC Network Radio: 100.5 FM & 1580 AM Online: WatchESPN | Live Stats |
FANS ENCOURAGED TO PICK UP TICKETS IN ADVANCE AT MIZZOU TICKET OFFICE TO AVOID LINES
• In anticipation of a large walk-up crowd, fans are encouraged to pick up tickets in advance at the Mizzou Ticket Office. The ticket office will be open from 1 p.m. - halftime of the Harlem Globetrotters game (5 p.m. tipoff) on Sunday and then will reopen at 8 a.m. on Monday.
WEAR WHITE
• Fans are also encouraged to wear white to Monday's game.
ZOU NOTES
• Mizzou has started the season 13-0 for the first time in program history with an unblemished run through nonconference play. With the win at Colorado on Dec. 12, the Tigers moved past the 1982-83 team that started 9-0 for the best in school annals.
• The Tigers moved up two spots to No. 23 in the most recent Associated Press Top 25 poll, the highest ranking in the poll for the program since Dec. 30, 1984. The Tigers entered the AP poll at No. 25 last week, marking the first AP national ranking for the program since Jan. 9, 2006.
• Mizzou defeated Charlotte 88-71 its last time out on Dec. 29. Jordan Frericks paced the Tigers with 16 points, 15 rebounds and two steals. Sierra Michaelis added 14 points while Cierra Porter had 13 points and nine rebounds (five offensive).
• Sophie Cunningham leads the Tigers with 15.7 points to go along with 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals per contest. In just her fourth career game on Nov. 22 vs. Wake Forest, Cunningham set a new school record with 42 points, which is the second-highest single-game total in NCAA Division I this season. Cunningham broke a nearly 30-year-old record of 41 points that was established by Renee Kelly on Jan. 25, 1986 vs. Oklahoma at the Hearnes Center. She has scored 14 points in a quarter three times (1st vs. Lamar on Dec. 20, 2nd and 4th vs. Wake Forest on Nov. 22).
NOTABLES
• Mizzou head coach Robin Pingeton signed a new 5-year contract through the 2019-20 season that was announced on Oct. 2. She earned her 90th victory as Tigers head coach on Dec. 20 vs. Lamar.
• The Tigers rank seventh nationally in scoring margin (+24.2), ninth in rebounding margin (+13.2), 12th in free throw percentage (76.5), 15th in field goal percentage (47.1), 20th in scoring offense (80.0 points per game), 25th in 3-pointers per game (8.2), 43rd in assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.14) and 45th in scoring defense (55.8 points allowed per game).
• Sophie Cunningham ranks 16th in the country in field goal percentage (59.5) as she is 72-for-121 from the floor. She also is 26th nationally in free throw percentage (88.4), converting 38 of her first 43 career attempts.
• Although she does not meet the NCAA minimum of five made field goals per game, Cierra Porter is shooting 63.3 percent (50-for-79) from the floor, which would rank sixth nationally with 15 more made field goals.
ABOUT #13 TENNESSEE...
• The No. 13 Lady Vols are 9-3 overall and have won two straight at No. 7 Oregon State on Dec. 19 and vs. Stetson on Dec. 30.
• Holly Warlick is 95-23 (.805) since taking over for Pat Summitt prior to the 2012-13 season.
• Redshirt sophomore guard Diamond DeShields (Norcross, Ga.) averages a team-leading 14.8 points per game to go along with 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.9 steals. She was the espnW, USBWA and Full Court National Freshman of the Year with North Carolina in 2013-14.
• Redshirt sophomore center Mercedes Russell (Springfield, Ore.) is scoring 11.6 points per contest and averages a team-best 8.4 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Senior forward Bashaara Graves (Clarksville, Tenn.) averages 10.9 points and 8.2 rebounds.
