Missouri women’s basketball was back in action on Jan. 27, competing as major underdogs against Mississippi State as part of the 13th annual “We Back Pat Week,” in honor of women’s college basketball coach Pat Summitt.

With less than 30 seconds remaining and the game on the line, two Tigers shined the brightest. Laniah Randle stripped Mississippi State’s game-high scorer Jerkaila Jordan of the ball with the Tigers down 77-76. The steal led to a Grace Slaughter push shot at the buzzer to win it with a score of 78-77.

The win helped the Tigers snap an 18-game losing streak in SEC play, dating back to a Jan. 18, 2024 win over Georgia. 

Missouri came out strong, leading 22-20 after the first quarter. This lead was built largely in part to starting guards Slaughter and Ashton Judd, who combined for 19 of the 22 first-quarter Tiger points. 

Slaughter continued her scoring rampage, reaching a new career high of 31 points on 10-for-21 shooting by the time the buzzer sounded. 

The Bulldogs had a counter for Slaughter’s scoring punch in the form of the standout guard Jordan. The shifty scorer torched the Tigers for 40 points, yet in the biggest moment of the game, Randle stepped up. When matched up with Jordan, the heart-and-soul of the Tiger defense stripped the ball loose.

“When we say you need to be a lockdown on a certain kid, she shows up … I couldn’t ask for a better matchup.” coach Robin Pingeton said about the situation.

Randle ended up with a combined five steals and blocks on the night. Along with her defense, she poured in an impactful 14 points, firing the crowd up with each one.  

The win brings the Tigers to 12-10 on the season, moving the team up to No. 14 in the SEC standings. The Tigers will hit the road and travel to Austin, Texas for another SEC contest, this time against Texas on Jan. 30. 

Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com

Copy edited by Natalie Kientzy | nkientzy@themaneater.com 

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com