University of Missouri
24-6
Ole Miss
12-19
Smith’s Big Night Helps @MizzouWBB Advance to SEC Tournament Quarterfinals
3/1/2018 6:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Tigers clinched their first SEC Tournament victory in program history
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Women's Basketball (24-6) downed Ole Miss, 59-50, on Thursday night to secure its first SEC Tournament victory in program history. The Tigers advanced to the quarterfinals behind 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists from sophomore guard Amber Smith. Junior Sophie Cunningham added 11 points and senior Jordan Frericks chipped in seven points and seven rebounds. Mizzou shot 48.6 percent from the field en route to the victory. Head coach Robin Pingeton's squad has 24 wins for the first time since 1983-84. Twenty-four victories is already the sixth-most by a Mizzou team in a single campaign in program history. Mizzou held Ole Miss to 28.1-percent shooting and blocked a season-high 10 shots in a dominant defensive effort.
Turning Point
Mizzou clamped down defensively in the third quarter, holding Ole Miss to just four minutes in the frame. After leading 28-26 at halftime, the Tigers built an 11-point advantage heading to the fourth quarter. Ole Miss made 2-of-17 field goals in the third quarter and committed four turnovers. Mizzou took advantage of the Rebels' offensive struggles and used a 10-2 run to push in front 38-30. Cunningham scored six of her 11 points in the quarter. Mizzou led by as many as 17 in the final frame, preventing an Ole Miss comeback.
Top Tigers
- Sophomore guard Amber Smith (Shreveport, La.) led the way with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field. Smith also corralled a team-high nine rebounds and five assists. Smith has now reached double figures 12 times this season. During her career, the Tigers are now 15-2 when she scores in double figures.
- Senior forward Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) added seven points and maintained an inside presence throughout the ballgame, corralling seven rebounds. The Tigers are now 22-3 when Frericks hauls in at least five rebounds.
- Junior guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) chipped in with 11 points and allowed the Tigers to pull away with free throws down the stretch, sinking five in the final period. The junior has now reached double digits in 13 straight games.
Notes
- The Mizzou victory was their first in a conference tournament since a win on March 7, 2012 over Oklahoma State in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament.
- Mizzou rejected 10 Ole Miss shot attempts, its most blocks as a team this season. The 10 rejections were Mizzou's most since they tallied 10 on November 23, 2013 in a contest at UT Martin.
- Cierra Porter swatted four shots, a season-high for the sophomore forward.
- Jordan Frericks rejected three shot attempts, matching a season-high.
- Frericks totaled seven points, giving her at least four points in every game this season. She also hauled in seven boards and now has secured at least five rebounds 25 times in 30 games. Mizzou is now 22-3 in those contests.
- Mizzou has 24 wins for the first time since 1983-84.
- Mizzou held the Rebels to just 50 points. The Tigers have held opponents under 60 points 15 times this season and are 14-1 in those contests.
- Mizzou shot nearly 49 percent from the field while holding Ole Miss to a 28.1 percent clip. The Tigers have had a higher field goal percentage than their opponent in 27 of their 30 games this season.
- After scoring the opening basket just over a minute into the ballgame, Mizzou led for the entirety of the contest.
Up Next
Mizzou advances to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament on Friday. The Tigers will take on No. 3-seed Georgia at approximately 8:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
