University of Missouri
10-3
Missouri State
3-8
Tigers Fall to Lady Bears, 57-52, in Kansas City
12/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Mizzou and Missouri State competed in a tight game throughout but the Lady Bears' defense propelled them to a late 57-52 victory against the Tigers Tuesday night at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. Sophomore Sierra Michaelis' second career double-double helped keep Mizzou in the contest, but the Bears held the Tigers without a field goal in the last 3:36 of play to give Missouri State the win.
Hot shooting by Missouri State enabled a quick double digit lead to begin the game, as the Lady Bears knocked down four of their first seven 3-point attempts from behind the arc.
Mizzou (10-3) responded nicely thereafter, pulling within the Lady Bears by two points on two separate occasions in the opening half. A layup from sophomore Jordan Frericks at the end of the half made it a 30-26 Missouri State edge after 20 minutes of action.
Michaelis paced all scorers in the first half with 10 points. The strong half by the Mercer, Mo., native secured her fifth double digit effort of the 2014-15 season.
The beginning of the second half was similar to the end of the first, as each team exchanged baskets at a steady pace. The Tigers finally broke through with their first lead of the game, 48-47, after senior Morgan Eye canned a three with 5:12 remaining on the clock.
After gaining the one-point advantage, Mizzou and the Lady Bears exchanged four additional ties and lead changes down the stretch. Missouri State's defense had the final say Tuesday evening, proving to be the deciding factor in the close fought battle. Late free throws by the Lady Bears capped off their 57-52 victory.
In all, the Tigers produced three double digit scorers Tuesday with Michaelis (13), Eye (10) and Frericks (10) all reaching the mark. Eye's 10 points marked her 50th career double-figure scoring game.
Mizzou returns to action on Friday, Jan. 2 for their Southeastern Conference opener at Tennessee. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on SEC Network. For more information on Mizzou women's basketball, follow the team on Twitter (@MizzouWBB).
