University of Missouri
19-5 (7-4)
Kentucky
12-13 (4-7)
No. 15 @MizzouWBB Beats Kentucky, 83-78
2/8/2018 7:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Junior Sophie Cunningham poured in 29 points
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Women's Basketball (19-5, 7-4) deployed a balanced attack to take down the Kentucky Wildcats (12-13, 4-7), 83-78, on Thursday night at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers were able to assert their dominance offensively both inside and on the perimeter. Junior guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) put on a stellar shooting display as she totaled 29 points on 8-of-10 shooting from the field, including 5-of-7 from behind the arc. Cunningham's 29 points marked her highest output in an SEC contest this season.
Mizzou's inside attack was led by redshirt senior forward Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) and junior forward Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) who notched 15 and 12 points respectively. Porter hauled in 11 rebounds, giving her a double-double, while Frericks was one shy of the feat, grabbing nine boards, six of which came on the offensive end. As a team, the Tigers out rebounded the Wildcats 31-22 and racked up 17 second-chance points. The victory gave the Tigers their first back-to-back wins against the Wildcats in series history after a win last season in Columbia.
Turning Point
After Mizzou had held a steady lead for the majority of the ballgame, Kentucky went on an 8-0 run to pull within seven with 6:44 to play. Cunningham responded with a much-needed triple to extend the lead back to double digits. Cunningham excelled down the stretch as she scored 13 of her 29 in the fourth while icing the ballgame at the charity stripe, draining eight free throws in the period. As a team, Mizzou held on late by draining 9-of-12 free throws in the game's final quarter.
Top Tigers
- Frericks came out of the opening tip with the hot hand for Mizzou's offense as she scored 12 first quarter points, her most in a single period this season. Frericks finished with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting while pulling in nine boards.
- Cunningham was potent from everywhere on the court all evening as she sported an 8-for-10 clip while scoring 29 and dishing five assists. Cunningham now has six 25+ point games this season, a team-best.
- Porter was a weapon inside for the Tigers as she went for 16 points and grabbed 11 boards, picking up her 18th career double-double while also matching a career-high with five assists.
- Sophomore Amber Smith chipped in 13 points, reaching double figures for the 15th time in her career. Mizzou is 13-2 in those games.
Notes
- With the win, Mizzou registered its second straight win over Kentucky as a member of the SEC. It is the Tigers' third all-time victory against the Wildcats.
- Mizzou also clinched its fourth straight 19-win season with the victory, the first time that has happened for Mizzou since 1983-1987.
- Mizzou shot 55 percent to Kentucky's 50 percent, marking the 22nd time in 24 games this season in which they have outshot their opponent from the field.
- Mizzou also outrebounded Kentucky 31-22, marking the 21st time in 24 contests in which the Tigers have accomplished the feat.
- With her 29-point performance, Sophie Cunningham moved into 10th on Mizzou's all-time scoring list. Cunningham surpassed Ericka Fields, who had 1,389 career points.
- Cunningham's 5-of-7 clip from distance was her most efficient performance this season from deep when attempting at least seven threes.
- By scoring 15 points Frericks moved into 14th on Mizzou's all-time scoring list. Frericks passed both Alyssa Hollins and Sarah Campbell.
- With her nine rebounds, Frericks has now snagged at least five rebounds 19 times in 23 games this season. She has 972 career rebounds.
Up Next
Mizzou hits the road for a rematch with Arkansas on Sunday. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks, 88-54, at Mizzou Arena earlier this season. Tip off Sunday is set for 4 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
