COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women's Basketball (17-2, 5-1) led wire-to-wire for the second consecutive game as the Tigers cruised past border rival, Arkansas, 88-54 on Sunday afternoon. Mizzou's 17-2 mark continues its best overall record in program history through 19 games. The Tigers improved to 8-1 at home on the year. Mizzou was lights out from the field, hitting 27-of-52 shots and racking up 21 assists. The Tigers were also effective from the free throw line, converting 21-of-27 free throws. Defensively, Mizzou held Arkansas to 33 percent shooting from the field. Junior Sophie Cunningham scored 22 points and made 12-of-14 free throws while redshirt senior Jordan Frericks added 12 points and pulled down eight rebounds. In her second consecutive start, redshirt senior Kayla Michael poured in a season-high 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
Turning Point
Mizzou raced ahead out of the gate and never looked back. A combination of great offense and defense allowed the Tigers to get out to a quick 8-0 lead. Mizzou made 9-of-11 field goals in a torrid offensive first quarter. Arkansas got within 18-11 on a layup at the 4:01 mark of the opening frame, but Mizzou ripped off a 9-0 run to push in front 27-11. Sophomore Amber Smith punctuated the first quarter with a three-pointer and a jumper in the lane on consecutive possessions. Mizzou led by double digits for the remainder of the game.
Top Tigers
- Cunningham scored a team-high 22 points on the day, surpassing 20 points in a game for the 27th time in her career. She added three assists and three rebounds.
- Frericks scored 12 points, pulled down eight rebounds and added four assists.
- Lauren Aldridge scored a season-high 13 points behind 3-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Over the last three games, she's piled up 18 assists and committed just three turnovers.
- Michael reached a season high in points on the year totaling 13, making 6-of-8 attempts.
- Smith grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds. She's corralled 10+ rebounds in three of the last four games.
Notes
- Mizzou continued its best start (17-2) in program history through 19 games.
- Mizzou has won the last four meetings against Arkansas, outscoring the Razorbacks by a combined 80 points during that span.
- The Tigers made 13 three pointers, the most in SEC play this season. Mizzou is 6-0 in games it makes 10+ triples.
- The Tigers improved to 5-1 in conference play which continues their best start since joining the SEC.
- Mizzou is 13-0 now on the season when holding its opponents under 60 points.
- Mizzou has not trailed since the 7:58 mark of the first quarter in the Jan. 11 game at Vanderbilt. The Tigers have been tied or in the lead for nearly 118 consecutive minutes.
Up Next
Mizzou heads back on the road to face the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Ga., on Thursday. The Tigers and Bulldogs tip off at 6 p.m. CT on SEC Network Plus.
