Undersized and outmatched, Missouri women’s basketball falls to the top-ranked Gamecocks
Missouri women’s basketball faced a tall task against top-ranked South Carolina, and they came up short, suffering a blowout loss at the hands of the Gamecocks, 81-57.
Missouri started strong, as they led 23-21 early in the second quarter. But the tide turned fast, as the Gamecocks rattled off a 20-5 run before the half to snag a double-digit lead. South Carolina made only eight 3-pointers all game, but five came in the second quarter.
“They got 10 to go down for them,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said. “If we don’t get our eight to go down, this is a different basketball game.”
South Carolina was led by junior guard Bree Hall, who registered 16 points with perfect 6/6 shooting in the first half. Hall finished the game with a team-high and a career-high 21 points on 8/10 shooting.
“She’s proven why experience … it’s a real thing,” Staley said.
Despite getting into early foul trouble, sophomore guard Ashton Judd and graduate forward Hayley Frank combined for 32 points for the Tigers with 16 apiece.
“We didn’t have any other options,” head coach Robin Pingeton said. “I think you have to put yourself in a position to stay in the game.”
Frank had 11 points in the third quarter, as Missouri cut the lead as close as five. However, South Carolina proved its dominance, leading 59-46 with a 12-6 run to end the quarter.
The Tigers struggled with South Carolina’s size, as the Gamecocks dominated the paint all game with a 44-18 scoring advantage.
Missouri’s final 57 points were its second-lowest total all season, and its lowest thus far in SEC play. The Tigers continued their struggles with turnovers, with 17 in the game.
“We had Ashlyn [Watkins] and [Sania] Feagin, they got the bulk of the minutes tonight, ” Staley said. “They were able to impact the [Missouri] scoring.”
Senior guard Mama Dembele did not play, as she was recovering from an apparent knee injury against Alabama. It was reported that Dembele sustained no structural damage in the injury, and returned against Vanderbilt. As a result, freshman guard Abbey Schreacke made her first collegiate start against the No. 1 team in the nation.
Several Missouri players struggled with foul troubles. Three players picked up three fouls before halftime: Judd, Frank and freshman Hannah Linthacum
The Tigers went deep into their bench early and often. Eight separate players saw the court, including the most SEC action for junior forward Sarah Linthacum.
These absences also gave freshman guard Grace Slaughter an opportunity to have larger offensive involvement, totaling 12 points including two 3-pointers.
“We have to attack the day and we have to win the day,” Pingeton said.
Edited by Quentin Corpuel | qcorpuel@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Sterling Sewell | ssewell@theamaneater.com