University of Missouri
21-7, 8-7
Kentucky
20-6, 9-6
#24 @MizzouWBB’s Comeback Bid Falls Short at #14 Kentucky
2/25/2016 8:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Tigers erased 13-point halftime deficit to lead after three quarters
LEXINGTON, Ky. – No. 24 Mizzou Women's Basketball (21-7, 8-7) erased a 13-point halftime deficit but was unable to hold off No. 14 Kentucky (20-6, 9-6) Thursday evening at Memorial Coliseum. Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) and Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) both recorded double-doubles for the Tigers.
Cunningham scored a game-high 29 points and pulled down 10 rebounds while Frericks finished with 12 points and 11 boards. Cunningham was 8-for-13 from the field, 2-for-3 from 3-point range and made a career-high 11 free throws. For Frericks, her 24th career double-double ranks second in program history.
Kentucky got out to a 22-14 lead in the first quarter as the Wildcats shot 42 percent (8-for-19) during the initial period. Cunningham scored 10 points on 3-for-4 shooting during the game's first 10 minutes as she reached double figures for the 18th time on the season and eighth during SEC play.
The Wildcats increased the lead to 39-26 at halftime. Evelyn Akhator and Janee Thompson both scored 10 points during the first half. Cunningham paced the Tigers with 14 points in the opening half while Sierra Michaelis (Mercer, Mo.) added six points on two 3-pointers.
Mizzou outscored UK 25-11 during the third quarter to take a 51-50 lead into the final 10 minutes. The Tigers went on an 11-0 run to take the lead, capped by a 3-pointer by Morgan Stock (Town & Country, Mo.). Michaelis threw a full court pass to Cunningham for a layup at the end of the period to regain the advantage.
In the fourth quarter, the Wildcats answered back and outscored Mizzou 19-8 to close the game. Thompson finished with 24 points while Akhator added 15 points and nine rebounds.
For the game, Mizzou shot 38 percent (19-for-50) from the field, 29 percent (6-for-21) from beyond the arc and 94 percent (15-for-16) at the foul line. Kentucky shot 40 percent (26-for-65) from the floor, 18 percent (3-for-17) from distance and 64 percent (14-for-22) at the free throw line.
The Tigers close the regular season with a 1 p.m. CT tipoff vs. Vanderbilt at Mizzou Arena. The game will be televised on SEC Network. Seniors Michelle Hudyn (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada), Juanita Robinson (Chicago, Ill.), Maddie Stock (Town & Country, Mo.) and Morgan Stock (Town & Country, Mo.) will be honored during pregame Senior Day activities beginning at 12:30 p.m. CT.
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
- Mizzou is now 1-5 all-time against Kentucky and 0-3 in contests played at Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers have not defeated the Wildcats since joining the SEC.
- Head coach Robin Pingeton is now 100-86 (.538) since taking over prior to the 2010-11 season. She has a 435-243 (.642) career record in 21 overall seasons.
- Jordan Frericks recorded her seventh double-double of the season and 24th of her career, which ranks second in Mizzou history.
- Frericks passed former WNBA Draft pick Bri Kulas (1,008, 2012-14) for 32nd in career scoring. Frericks finished with 12 points and now has 1,017 points in 92 career games (11.1 points per game).
- Frericks pulled down 11 rebounds. She recorded double-digit rebounds for the eighth time on the season and fourth during league play.
- Sophie Cunningham scored in double figures for the 18th time this season, finishing with 29 points, the second-highest output of her young career. She surpassed 20 points for the eighth time this season. She has now reached double digits in eight SEC contests. She tied a career-high with 39 minutes played.
- Lindsey Cunningham finished with three assists and surpassed her previous career-high of 91 established last season. Cunningham now has a team-leading 93 assists for the season, good for an average of 3.3 per game.
- The Tigers are now 7-5 on the road this season.
- Mizzou is 3-7 when trailing at halftime.
- The Tigers are 20-3 when outrebounding the opponent. Mizzou held a 36-32 advantage on Thursday.
- Mizzou is 3-7 when shooting at a lower percentage than the opposition.
- The Tigers are 3-6 when shooting under 40 percent from the field.
- Mizzou is now 7-6 when finishing with under 15 assists.
