University of Missouri
8-2
Northern Illinois
2-5
Mizzou Closes Perfect Weekend with Win over Northern Illinois
12/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Box Score |
Quotes |
Notes |
Photo Gallery 
Columbia, Mo. - The Mizzou Women's Basketball team improved to 8-2 on the season with a 47-44 win over the Northern Illinois Huskies. Today's win marks the fourth straight season that coach Robin Pingeton's Tigers have jumped out to an 8-2 record or better to begin the year. Sophomore Forward Jordan Frericks led all Tiger scorers with 13 points and eight rebounds. The sophomore forward is performing at an elite level to open the season, averaging a double-double per game.
The Tigers' lockdown defense helped Mizzou get out to an early lead over the Huskies. Mizzou forced Northern Illinois to shoot an abysmal 20-percent from the field in the first half, including a 1-for-10 mark from beyond the arc. Over a nine-minute stretch in the first period, the Huskies were shutout from the field, missing 12 consecutive shots. This is nothing new for the Tigers, as they are holding their opponents to a 34.4 percent clip on field goals so far this year. Mizzou entered halftime leading the Huskies 22-15.
Juanita Robinson energized the Tigers to open the second half as she hit Mizzou's first three field goals of the period. Robinson knocked down back-to-back jump shots and capped it off with an impressive reverse layup on the baseline. Robinson is one of three Tigers this season to be among the top five on the team in points per game, assists per game, and steals per game.
The Huskies made a run late in the second half, bringing the game to a tie with just under two minutes left to play. Two huge Bri Porter free throws gave the Tigers the lead back. On the ensuing possession, Morgan Eye got her defender in the air with a shot fake, dribbled in and knocked down a clutch jump shot to push the Tigers' lead to four. Mizzou closed out the game with back-to-back blocks from Bri Porter and Maddie Stock on potential game-tying 3-point shots from Northern Illinois.
A vital part of Missouri's win today was the ability to out-rebound the Huskies. The Tigers finished the game with 45 rebounds, which almost doubled up Northern Illinois' total of 25. Mizzou was especially dominant on the offensive glass, recording 14 offensive rebounds on the day. This has been one of the Tigers' strengths all season long, as they have recorded double-digit offensive rebounds in all 10 games this season.
Up next, Mizzou will travel to Wake Forest to take on the Demon Deacons. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20. Check in to MUTigers.com for more information on the team and Mizzou Athletics. Fans can also follow the team on twitter (@MizzouWBB).
