@MizzouWBB’s Comeback Propels 70-65 Overtime Win over No. 18 Texas A&M

Thursday, February 7

Columbia, Mo.

6:00 P.M. CT

University of Missouri

17-7 (6-4SEC)

Texas A&M

18-5 (7-3SEC)

OT 1

No. 18 Texas A&M

Mizzou

@MizzouWBB’s Comeback Propels 70-65 Overtime Win over No. 18 Texas A&M

2/7/2019 10:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Highlights

Cunningham records 12th career double-double, Smith chips in 18 points

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women's Basketball (17-7, 6-4 SEC) came back from being down 10 points late in the third quarter to earn a 70-65 overtime win over No. 18 Texas A&M (18-5, 7-3 SEC) Thursday at Mizzou Arena. Mizzou trailed throughout much of the third quarter, but the Black and Gold offense ignited in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Aggies 25-18 in the final period of regulation and overtime. With the win, Mizzou improved to 5-0 at home in SEC play and 6-4 overall in conference games.

Senior guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) spurred the Tigers to victory with her fourth double-double of the season, scoring 22 points while snagging 12 rebounds. Cunningham accounted for six of her team's nine total points in overtime, as she was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the extra period. Junior guard Amber Smith (Shreveport, La.) chipped in 18 points and nine rebounds –– the 16^th game this season she has scored in double-digits. Redshirt senior guard Lauren Aldridge (Marshfield, Mo.) and junior guard Jordan Roundtree (St. Louis, Mo.) both scored nine points, with Aldridge dishing out a team-high five assists.

The Tigers' defense shut down the Aggie offense for much of the fourth quarter and overtime, limiting the Aggies to 24 percent shooting from the field in the game's final 15 minutes. Mizzou capitalized on eight Aggie turnovers by scoring 13 points on such errors, and also recorded six steals and three blocks on the night.

TURNING POINT

After trailing the Aggies by 10 late in the third quarter, the Tigers offense picked up to begin the fourth period, scoring 12 points in the first five minutes of the quarter. Cunningham and Smith combined for 14 points in the contest's final 15 minutes to rally the Tigers to the finish line. Mizzou is now 10-2 at home and 7-0 when scoring 70 or more points on the season.

TOP TIGERS

Along with her 22 points and 12 rebounds, Cunningham was a fierce defensive presence, snagging three steals and a thunderous block in crucial moments for the Tigers.
Smith contributed greatly to the Tiger's offense charge for much of the night, finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds while shooting 7-for-17 from the field.
All nine of Aldridge's points were scored from beyond the arc, where she shot 3-for-5 to reach 42 made three-pointers on the season.

NOTES

With 22 points and 12 rebounds, Cunningham recorded her fourth double-double of the season and the 12^th of her career.
The 22-point output was Cunningham's 10^th of the season, and the 43^rd of her career. Cunningham has now recorded 10+ 20-point games in each season of her career.
With seven rebounds, senior forward Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) moved into ninth-place in program history with 711 career rebounds, surpassing Tracy Ellis (1984-88, 707 rebounds).
Aldridge recorded a season-high five assists and now sits one assist shy of 400 career assists.
The win over the No. 18-ranked Aggies is Mizzou's third win over a ranked opponent this season, after defeating No. 21 West Virginia, 68-51, on Dec. 2 and No. 10 Tennessee, 66-64, on Jan. 6.
The win was also Mizzou's eighth home win over a ranked SEC opponent since the start of the 2015-16 season. Since that season, Mizzou is 23-6 at Mizzou Arena against SEC opponents.
The victory against Texas A&M marked the first overtime competition for Mizzou this season. The Tigers improved to 21-26 all-time in overtime contests.
Thursday's win marks the first victory for Mizzou against Texas A&M since Jan. 19, 2017, when the Tigers' defeated the visiting Aggies, 78-76, in Columbia, Mo. Mizzou is now 7-6 in all-time home contests against the Texas A&M.