University of Missouri
2-6,0-0SEC
North Carolina
6-0,0-0ACC
Mizzou Women’s Basketball Falls to North Carolina at Cancun Challenge
11/29/2019 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Smith, Blackwell and Frank score in double figures for the Tigers
CANCUN, Mexico – Mizzou Women's Basketball (2-6, 0-0 SEC) fell to North Carolina (6-0, 0-0 ACC), 82-69, Friday evening at the Cancun Challenge in Cancun, Mexico. Mizzou had three players score in double figures in the game, led by senior guard Amber Smith (Shreveport, La.), who scored 16 points and had five rebounds and two blocks. Joining Smith in double figures was freshman guard Aijha Blackwell (Berkeley, Mo.) and freshman forward Hayley Frank (Strafford, Mo.), who chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Following the tournament, Frank was named to the Cancun Challenge All-Tournament Team after averaging 21.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game over the two contests. Against New Mexico on Thursday, Frank poured in 29 points, the most scored by a Mizzou freshman since the 2015-16 season.
TURNING POINT
Mizzou came out of the locker room slow, as the Tar Heels were able to gain a 10-point advantage after the first quarter, 23-13. North Carolina executed the fast break well in the game's opening frame, as the Tar Heels outscored Mizzou, 8-0, on fast breaks in the first quarter. North Carolina shot 57.1 percent (8-of-14) in the quarter, while Mizzou was shot only 30.8 percent (4-of-13) from the field.
TOP TIGERS
- Smith led Mizzou in scoring for the fourth time this season, as she scored 16 points and added five rebounds and two blocks.
- With 14 points, Blackwell notched her third game in double figures this season. She also recorded a career-high six rebounds and had two assists.
- Frank added 13 points to record her sixth consecutive game in double figures, while also matching a career-high with six rebounds.
NOTES
- With the loss, Mizzou drops to 0-2 all-time against North Carolina.
- Mizzou shot 41.3 percent (26-of-63) from the field, marking the fifth time in seven games this season the Tigers have shot 40 percent or better from the field.
- Mizzou's outscored North Carolina in bench points (33-0) and points in the paint (38-18).
- Smith's 16 points marked the sixth time this season and the 46th time in her career she has scored in double figures.
- The Tiger senior grabbed five rebounds, the seventh time this season and 54th time in her career she has grabbed five rebounds, and had two blocks, the 18th time in her career she has had multiple blocks.
- Blackwell had her third career game in double figures, as she scored 14 points, her second-highest scoring output of the season.
- The Tiger freshman also recorded a career high six rebounds in the contest.
- With 13 points, Frank scored in double figures for the sixth consecutive game.
- In her second career start, Frank matched a career high in rebounds with six.
- Over her last six games, Frank is averaging 16.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
UP NEXT
Next, Mizzou will return home to host Saint Louis on Thursday, Dec. 5. Tipoff from Mizzou Arena is slated for 7 p.m. CT on SEC Network +.
For all the latest on Mizzou Women's Basketball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team @MizzouWBB (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook).
