University of Missouri
2-1
Wright State
2-1
@MizzouWBB Rallies Late, Beats Wright State 82-80 in Home Opener
11/16/2017 10:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Frericks poured in 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Mizzou
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women's Basketball won a thriller at Mizzou Arena on Thursday night, hanging on to beat Wright State 82-80 on a pair of free throws from junior Sophie Cunningham with 1.4 seconds to go. The Tigers ended the game on a 17-5 run, using a combination of stifling defense and steady production from veteran players to seal the home-opening win. Redshirt senior forward Jordan Frericks led the way for head coach Robin Pingeton, scoring 26 points on 7-of-14 shooting. Cunningham played another great all-around game, scoring 19 points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing three assists.
Turning Point
With the game knotted up at 78 points apiece with just under a minute to go, redshirt senior Jordan Frericks made the play of the night, blocking a three-pointer late in the shot clock. Frericks then took the ball off the deflection, and made her way to the rim, where she couldn't convert the layup. However, redshirt junior guard Lauren Aldridge, who was trailing the play, scored on the offensive rebound to give the Tigers an 80-78 lead, their first advantage since they led 52-51 with 5:26 left in the third quarter.
After a layup from Wright State tied the game back up at 80, Pingeton put the ball in the hands of Cunningham, and let her do the rest. With no time separating the shot and game clocks, the Tigers held the ball until only eight seconds remained. Cunningham drove the ball into the lane, where she drew contact from a Raider defender. Cunningham headed to the free throw line with 1.4 seconds to play, and calmly knocked down a pair of free throws, which was just enough to give Mizzou the win.
Top Tigers
- Junior forward Cierra Porter dominated down low for Mizzou, recording a double-double. Porter chipped in 13 points while hauling in 15 rebounds.
- Junior guard Lauren Aldridge nearly joined Porter in the double-double club against Wright State, registering nine points and nine assists.
- Sophomore guard Jordan Chavis provided a nice spark off the bench, providing Pingeton's squad with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc.
Notes
- Redshirt senior Jordan Frericks continued her hot start to the season, becoming just the fourth Tiger ever to open a season with three games of 20 or more points. Frericks joins Julie Helm (1998), Ericka Fields (1999), and Renee Kelly (1987). Frericks did a lot of her damage at the foul line, making 12 of her 19 attempts, which is a new career high. Her previous best was nine against LSU (2/2/15).
- Frericks and junior guard Sophie Cunningham both had at least 15 points for the fifth time ever as teammates. The Tigers are 3-2 in those games.
- Redshirt junior guard Lauren Aldridge set a new career high in assists, dishing out nine during the game. Her previous high (7) came against Oklahoma (2/20/16).
- Junior forward Cierra Porter turned in the 15th double of her career. Mizzou moved to 12-3 in those games.
- With the win, Mizzou improved to 36-8 in home-openers all time. This was their ninth consecutive home-opening victory.
- It was also Mizzou's 47th straight win at home against nonconference opponents in the regular season.
Up Next
The Tigers head back out onto the road for a short trip to Springfield, Missouri, to play Missouri State this Sunday. That game is scheduled to tip at 2 p.m
