University of Missouri
7-0
Saint Mary's
5-1
@MizzouWBB Beats Saint Mary’s 95-78 to Win Hilton Concord Thanksgiving Classic
11/28/2015 6:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Jordan Frericks named Tournament MVP
MORAGA, Calif. – Mizzou Women's Basketball (7-0) shot 51 percent from the field and drained a season-high 14 shots from 3-point range to earn a 95-78 victory over host Saint Mary's (5-1) on Saturday at the McKeon Pavilion. The Tigers earned the championship at the Hilton Concord Thanksgiving Classic as the only team in the 4-team field to win both games over the weekend.
"This was a big win," head coach Robin Pingeton said. "Our ball movement was so good today and we shot the ball really well. Saint Mary's has a nice team, and this was just a great team win."
Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) was named Tournament MVP after scoring 18 points in both games of the classic along with a total of 14 rebounds. Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) also earned All-Tournament Team honors after scoring 30 points and grabbing 15 rebounds over the last two days.
The Tigers registered a season-high scoring total and set new high mark with 28 assists. The 28 assists are the most since registering the same total in a record-setting 126-55 victory vs. Bradley on Dec. 8, 2013. Mizzou also tied a season-best with 50 points in the first half, including 15 assists and 10 triples.
Mizzou never trailed after the 5:07 mark in the first quarter. Frericks finished with 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Sierra Michaelis (Mercer, Mo.) also scored 18 points, including four baskets from long range. She also grabbed five rebounds and made two steals. Cierra Porter finished with 14 points and six boards.
For the game, Mizzou shot 51 percent (37-for-73) from the floor, 39 percent (14-for-36) from 3-point range and 64 percent (7-for-11) from the foul line. The Tigers held a 28-18 advantage in the paint, 18-10 lead in points off of turnovers and a 9-3 mark in fast break points.
Saint Mary' shot 44 percent (23-for-52) from the field, 47 percent (8-for-17) from 3-point range and 73 percent (24-for-33) from the free throw line. The Gaels were led by Lauren Nicholson, who scored a game-high 24 points.
Mizzou returns home to Mizzou Arena for a 7 p.m. CT tipoff on Dec. 2 vs. Southeast Missouri.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Mizzou has started the season 7-0 for the first time since 2013-14 and the second time during the Robin Pingeton era.
- Mizzou is now 2-0 all-time at Saint Mary's.
- Jordan Frericks was named MVP of the Hilton Concord Thanksgiving Classic while Cierra Porter also earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Frericks averaged 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 2.0 steals and 1.5 assists for the weekend. Porter averaged 15.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists over the two games.
- The Tigers improved to 8-1 all-time against teams from the West Coast Conference.
- It was the first matchup between Mizzou and a West Coast Conference opponent since a 79-64 Tigers victory over Saint Mary's during the SMC Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 25, 2006. Mizzou also faces Loyola Marymount from the WCC at Mizzou Arena on Dec. 7.
- Mizzou scored 50 points in the first half, equaling the season-high established vs. SIU Edwardsville on Nov. 24.
- As a team, Mizzou had 28 assists. The previous season-high was 19 vs. Wake Forest on Nov. 22. The 28 assists are the most since registering the same total in a record-setting 126-55 victory over Bradley on Dec. 8, 2013. Last season, the high assist total was 20 at Kansas State on March 22, 2015 and vs. Western Illinois on Nov. 15, 2014.
- Morgan Stock had a career-high four assists. Lianna Doty (3), Jordan Frericks (3), Carrie Shephard (2), Maddie Stock (2) and Bri Porter (1) all tied or set new season-highs in assists.
- Lianna Doty had three assists and now has 336 in her career. She is one assist away from tying assistant coach and former standout RaeShara Brown (2007-11) for fourth in program history.
- Mizzou drained a season-high 14 shots from 3-point range. The Tigers sank 10 triples during the first half. The previous season-high was 11 treys vs. Wake Forest on Nov. 22 and SIU Edwardsville on Nov. 24.
