University of Missouri
1-411-7, ` SEC
South Carolina
17-0, 5-0SEC
Tigers Hang Tough with No. 1 South Carolina
1/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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Columbia, Mo. - Thanks to a strong defensive effort, Mizzou Women's Basketball held the No. 1-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks to their second-lowest point total of the season. Sophomore guard Sierra Michaelis contributed a career-high 22 points in Mizzou's 60-49 loss to South Carolina. The Tigers fall to 11-7 on the season and 1-4 in SEC play.
The Tigers opened the game tough, trading buckets with the Gamecocks to keep the contest close. Mizzou held off the Gamecocks for a stretch of almost four minutes during the half. Mizzou's defense continued to put the pressure on, only allowing South Carolina 25 first-half points, the fewest for the Gamecocks since the team scored just 17 against No. 9 Duke on Dec. 7. Mizzou held South Carolina to just 11-percent shooting from distance in the half.
Michaelis was strong in the second half, energizing the Tigers as she knocked down 17 of Mizzou's 29 points after the break. Michaelis' single-handedly outscored the Gamecock offense until the 10:29 mark on the second half clock. Michaelis scored nine consecutive points for the Tigers, but Mizzou could not keep up with the top-ranked team. Redshirt sophomore guard, Lindsey Cunningham, was also a driving force for Mizzou, playing a career-high 36 minutes while contributing three points and three assists.
The Tigers head out on Sunday to face Arkansas in a 3 p.m. contest in Fayetteville. Mizzou will be back home on January, 25, for the annual We Back Pat game which honors the Pat Summitt foundation. The Tigers and the Wildcats tip off at 2 p.m. Both games will air on SEC Network.
Keep checking in to MUTigers.com for more information on Mizzou Women's Basketball. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter (@MizzouWBB), Instagram (@MizzouWBB) and Facebook (/MizzouWBB).
