University of Missouri
11-0
Lamar
3-7
@MizzouWBB Beats Lamar 91-57 as Tigers Improve to 11-0
12/20/2015 6:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Mizzou drains 16 triples and dishes out 27 assists
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women's Basketball (11-0) drained 16 shots from beyond the 3-point arc and dished out 27 assists as the Tigers defeated Lamar (3-7) 91-57 on Sunday afternoon at Mizzou Arena. Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) led the Tigers with 27 points, six rebounds and three assists in 20 minutes of action.
"The thing that made me proudest of our effort today was our unselfish play," head coach Robin Pingeton said. "I thought we had some tremendous ball movement. I feel like our starters have done a great, consistent job of not forcing the action and trusting each other. We had 27 assists today and there's a lot to be proud of there."
Cunningham scored 14 points in the first quarter, marking the third time this season she has scored 14 in a single period. She had 19 points at halftime and finished 9-for-11 shooting from the floor, 4-for-6 from 3-point range and 5-for-5 at the free throw line.
Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) added 11 points and a game-high nine rebounds to go along with three assists and two steals. Sierra Michaelis (Mercer, Mo.) scored nine points on three triples with a season-high five assists. Lindsey Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) also scored nine points on three treys and dished out six assists.
Bri Porter (Columbia, Mo.) grabbed six rebounds and blocked a career-high three shots while Lianna Doty (St. Louis, Mo.) grabbed four steals in reserve action.
The Tigers shot 45 percent (32-for-71) from the field, 40 percent (16-for-40) from 3-point range and 92 percent (11-for-12) for the game. In the second half alone, Mizzou shot 52 percent (15-for-29) from the floor.
Mizzou held a 53-31 rebounding advantage and outscored the Cardinals 22-8 off of turnovers and 23-5 in second-chance points.
Mizzou returns to play Monday with a 7 p.m. CT tipoff vs. Texas State at Mizzou Arena. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance or arrive early to avoid long ticket lines.
For all the latest on Mizzou Women's Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter (@MizzouWBB) and like the team on Facebook (Mizzou Women's Basketball) and Instagram (MizzouWBB).
POSTGAME NOTES
- The Tigers improved to 11-0 for the first time ever, scoring 90 or more points for the third time this season.
- Mizzou's 34-point win stands as the third-largest margin of victory this season for the Tigers. Mizzou entered the game ranking 11th nationally in average scoring margin (+23.7).
- Mizzou's 28 points in the first quarter were its second-most of the season, with the total only surpassed by the Tigers' 29 points scored in the opening period vs. Saint Mary's (Calif.) in the Hilton Concord Thanksgiving Classic in Moraga, Calif., on Nov. 28.
- Those 28 first-quarter points rank tied for third among Mizzou's most prolific scoring quarters of the season. The Tigers dropped in 31 points in the second quarter vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 16, followed by 29 points in the first quarter vs. Saint Mary's on Nov. 28. Mizzou also scored 28 points in the third quarter of that 95-78 win vs. Saint Mary's.
- Mizzou finished the first half with 47 points, marking the seventh time out of 11 games the Tigers have rolled up at least 40 points on their opponent before the halftime break. Mizzou's total of 47 ranks as the fourth-most thus far in the 2015-16 campaign. The Tigers have scored 50 twice in a first half, first vs. SIU-Edwardsville (Nov. 24) and again vs. Saint Mary's (Nov. 28).
- Mizzou hit on 16-of-34 three-pointers in the win, its most of the season and two away from matching the program record of 18 that the Tigers reached twice during the 2012-13 season.
- The Tigers shot 10-of-26 from three-point range in the first half to match its season-best effort in an initial half. Mizzou also sank 10 triples in the first half vs. Saint Mary's (Nov. 28).
- Head coach Robin Pingeton recorded her 90th win as Mizzou's head coach. She has a 90-76 (.542) record since taking over the Tigers. Over the last three-plus years, the Tigers have gone 64-43 (.598).
- Freshman guard Sophie Cunningham led Mizzou with 27 points on 9-of-11 FG shooting (4-of-6 3PT). Cunningham reached the 20-point mark early in third quarter action to secure her fourth 20-point game this season.
- Junior forward Jordan Frericks scored 11 points, all in the third period, after attempting and not connecting on just two field goal attempts in the first half. Frericks sank 4-of-6 FG attempts and 3-of-3 FT attempts in the period.
- Frericks finished the game just one rebound off of a double-double, as she corralled nine boards.
- Sophomore forward Kayla McDowell hauled in a season-best nine rebounds in the victory.
- Junior guard Lindsey Cunningham dished out six assists for her fourth game this season with five or more assists.
- Senior guard Morgan Stock matched her season and career-best with four assists.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Mizzou head coach Robin Pingeton
Opening statement…
"Thank you all for being here. It was great to see a nice crowd out here this afternoon. They've given great support all season long and we can't thank our fans enough. They truly make a big difference. We really appreciate it. I'm happy for our players. You never know what it's going to look like after finals week. The thing that made me proudest of our effort today was our unselfish play. I thought we had some tremendous ball movement. I feel like our starters have done a great consistent job of not forcing the action and trusting each other. We had 27 assists today and there's a lot to be proud of there. We got a lot of work to do in half-court defense. I'm not pleased with where we're at. We've got to get better there. Overall though, we have lots to be proud of and it was a good win for our team. We have another great opportunity tomorrow with a tough opponent in Texas State."
On whether this was the team's most complete game this season…
"I don't know about that. We shot at a pretty good percentage and we rebounded pretty well. I felt like we had some breakdowns defensively. We've definitely had some great moments and extended periods of time where we've played well so far this season. Today there were a couple possessions where I don't even know if the ball hit the floor. We were hitting pocket passes, had quick ball movement and knocking down open looks. There's also been other games this season where we've had good stretches of basketball. We're doing a lot of good things. To play this way after finals week was really encouraging. This has been a really resilient group. At game time, they're really excited and excited to put that Mizzou jersey on. They've come out of the gates with a lot of toughness."
On how Lindsey has improved her overall game this season…
"She has really grown in her game. She's playing with a lot of maturity. Her court vision is excellent. Having last year under her belt has given her a better feel of tempo. She looks really confident. She's experienced at that point guard position. Defensively, she's doing a lot of great things for us. Offensively, she's shooting the ball extremely well. She's looking for her shot a little more this year. I think she's more comfortable having the ball in her hand. She has been a huge factor into us getting out of the gates well like we have. She's doing a lot of things really well for us right now."
On whether having Sophie (her younger sister) playing alongside her this season has helped Lindsey's development…
"I think having that connection helps. They read each other very well. There's definitely a comfort zone there. They feed off each other's energy and emotions quite a bit. It has been fun to watch them on the court together. They're having a lot of fun. When they put that jersey on there's Mizzou bloodlines in them. They're doing everything they can to elevate this program."
On Sierra Michaelis' progression from her freshman season to now…
"She's grown up a lot too. You never know how quick they're going to make that adjustment coming in as a freshman. She's a kid where when we got her through that nonconference play as a freshman she really did some nice things for us. Huge credit to her. In her sophomore season, she started off a little slow but when we got to conference play she once again did nice things for us. I'm excited to see her come out of the gates this season in nonconference play and putting together a complete year for us. She's got a knack for scoring and can score in a variety of ways. She's got great court vision and is an unselfish player. She's another kid that can impact the game on both sides of the court. I'm really proud and happy for her and excited to see how her story unfolds here as a Mizzou Tiger."
Redshirt Junior Guard Lindsey Cunningham
On improving her 3-point shooting…
"I think Coach Pingeton touched on it as we're able to swing and share the ball well. We all truly don't care who gets the points at the end of the night. I'm usually open on that extra pass. Someone is giving up a good shot for a great shot. I think a lot of it is also having confidence. Having a year under my belt also helps."
On whether her performance this season has been overlooked…
"No, I don't think so. Everyone has a way that they contribute to the game. My contributions might not be as noticeable but that's kind of how it has been my whole life. I'm perfectly fine with that."
On her highlight reel behind-the-back pass…
"Well, if you saw my face after it happened you'd probably see I was as surprised as the rest of you. We practice stuff like that in practice sometimes because they can happen in the game. Sierra (Porter) was there for the pass and I was glad she finished it. It was pretty cool."
Junior Guard Sierra Michaelis
On how the team got great looks behind the arc all day…
"I felt that since we had such a height advantage they had to play inside-out defensively. That left the three-point shot open for us throughout today."
On having the ability to play well inside as well as shooting the three…
"It feels good. I think we have been known as a three-point shooting team. Being able to have that up our sleeves as well as effective inside game helps us out."
