Missouri is now 2-3 in SEC play after taming the Bulldogs at home
Missouri and Georgia women’s basketball walked into the Jan. 18 matchup with identical season records (10-7) and conference records (1-3), making this a crucial game for SEC standings. At the end of the night, however, the Bulldogs proved to be all bark and no bite, as the Tigers notched their second straight win in a 69-57 victory.
The contest didn’t start out too hot, though. On an evening where Mizzou Arena was giving out free scarves, the Tiger offense was also feeling generous, giving Georgia free offensive possessions while committing seven turnovers in the first quarter. Luckily, the Tigers would rebound with stifling defense. Missouri forced Georgia to shoot an abysmal 26.7% from the field in the opening 10 minutes. The Tigers also dominated the rebounding battle, bullying the Bulldogs on the boards 12-5.
Senior forward Hayley Frank led the charge on offense, scoring nine of the Tigers 18 points in the opening frame. This would propel Missouri to an 18-12 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The following quarter would proceed with the same 8/13 shooting clip as the first quarter. The Missouri defense would give the offense even more leeway, forcing Georgia to shoot just 31.3% from the field. Frank (15) and freshman guard Grace Slaughter (9) would combine for 24 points in the first half as the Tigers would lead 37-26 heading into the break.
“Getting farther into SEC play … has definitely allowed me to be a bit more comfortable,” Slaughter said.
The Tigers were somewhat quiet from beyond the arc in the first half, shooting 3/9 from three-point range.They caught fire in the second. The Tigers would continue the offensive onslaught with a 4/8 three point shooting clip, which doubled Georgia’s entire game total of two made threes. Four separate players made a three enroute to an explosive 22-point quarter and a 59-41 lead.
Despite Georgia’s most productive quarter over the final 10 minutes, the Tigers were able to keep the Bulldogs at bay until the final buzzer. The Bulldogs managed 16 points in the period, but it was not enough, as Missouri had locked up their first home win in SEC play. The Tigers moved 2-2 in conference play with a 69-57 win.
Frank led all scorers with 24 points, followed by Slaughter with 16 points. Frank also matched Mama Dembele’s assist totals in a game high of five. Dembele would also lead all players with nine rebounds despite being the shortest player in the game.
“The freshmen came in and they wanted to elevate this program,” head coach Robin Pingeton said. “Our returners have done a great job continuing to put in the work and trust the process.”
Edited by Quentin Corpuel | qcorpuel@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Grace Knight | gknight@themaneater.com
Edited by Scout Hudson | shudson@themaneater.com