University of Missouri
17-5 (5-4)
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Mississippi State
23-0 (9-0)
No. 15 @MizzouWBB Comes Up Short Late, Falls 57-53 in Tight Battle with No. 2 Mississippi State
2/1/2018 11:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Sophie Cunningham scored 20 points to lead the Tigers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women's Basketball (17-5, 5-4) narrowly fell to No. 2 Mississippi State (23-0, 9-0) on Thursday night, 57-53, as the Bulldogs prevailed in the final seconds. Junior guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) scored 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field in 33 minutes of play. Redshirt senior forward Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) and sophomore guard Amber Smith (Shreveport, La.) grabbed nine boards each, while redshirt junior guard Lauren Aldridge had nine points on a season-high three triples. Mizzou led by as many as 11, the largest deficit of the season for Mississippi State, but the Bulldogs battled back in the second half and used a game-winning bucket in the final 10 seconds to snatch the win.
Turning Point
With the score even at 47-47 with just under four minutes remaining in the game, Mississippi State went on a 10-6 run in the final minutes of the quarter, aided in large part by their six points from the free throw line. With Mizzou trailing 53-50, Cunningham hit a deep, clutch three-pointer to tie the game. However, Mississippi State had an immediate answer, as guard Victoria Vivians hit a step-back midrange jump shot to give the Bulldogs a 55-53 advantage. Frericks was called for a charge on the ensuing possession and a pair of Mississippi State free throws put the game out of reach.
Notes
- Despite the loss, Mizzou held Mississippi State to its lowest point total of the season, only surrendering 57 points.
- Mizzou held a nine-point advantage at the half, which was Mississippi State's largest deficit at the half this season. It was also only the second time this season they have trailed at the halftime intermission.
- Mizzou's defense was stout again early holding Mississippi State to just 14 points in the first quarter, tied for the fewest all season scored by the Bulldogs in the first quarter.
- Mississippi State faced its largest deficit of the season, 11 points, when Mizzou went up 34-23 in the second quarter.
- Mizzou outrebounded Mississippi State, 39-36, marking the 19th time this season that the Tigers have outrebounded their opponent.
- Junior guard Sophie Cunningham scored 20 points, surpassing Morgan Eye for 12th on Mizzou's all-time scoring list. She now has 1,376 career points.
- Cunningham's 20-point effort was her 10th 20-point game this season and the 29th such game of her career.
- Sophomore guard Amber Smith recorded double digit points for 14th time in her career. Mizzou moves to 12-2 when Smith scores in double digits in her career.
- Redshirt junior guard Lauren Aldridge tied her season high for three pointers made, splashing home three triples.
Top Tigers:
- Cunningham scored 20 points on an 8-of-14 shooting, giving her 29 career 20-point games. She also grabbed three rebounds and dished three assists.
- Smith scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds, nearly double-doubling.
- Aldridge tied her season high for three pointers with three, while also piling up four assists and committing just one turnover in 36 minutes.
Up Next
Mizzou continues a homestand when it faces Florida on Monday before hosting Kentucky next Thursday. Tip off Monday is set for 6 p.m. CT.
