The Tigers could overcome Tennessee in a close game
Missouri women’s basketball had a close game against Tennessee, ending with a final score of 76-71.
The Tigers started out the first quarter strong, despite Tennessee’s strong defense. Forward Angelique Ngalakulondi took immediate control over the ball scoring the first layup of the evening while drawing the foul, going up 3-0.
Missouri graduate student forward Angelique Ngalakulondi fights with Tennessee’s Tess Darby for a loose ball on Sunday, Feb 2, 2025, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. Missouri had eight steals sunday night compared to the 9 steals Tennessee had.
Guard Grace Slaughter started with good steals, tapping off the ball to guard Ashton Judd who scored, increasing their lead to 7-0.
Missouri’s strength was the team’s ability to make quick passes, opening up the court for players to score. Tennessee quickly caught onto this method and brought their full defense abilities.
Slaughter and Abbey Schreacke snuck in three pointers but struggled to find openings to make shots.
Tennessee guard Talaysia Cooper jumps up for a lay-up as Missouri junior guard Ashton Judd tries to block Cooper’s lay-up on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.. Missouri lost the game 71 to 76.
The first quarter wrapped up at 22-20 with Tennessee trailing close behind the Tigers.
Judd continued her scoring with a quick jumper, giving the Tigers a lead of 29-25. The Volunteers swiftly took the lead after that, 30-29. The score would stay narrow, tied 33-33 at half time.
After some choppy offense and defensive pressure from Tennessee, the Tigers came back with a stronger defense. Both Laniah Randle and Slaughter managed to score, bringing the Tigers closer at 44-43. Randle followed up with two of her free throws giving Missouri the lead back at 45-44.
Missouri senior forward Laniah Randle holds the ball looking for a pass on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. Randle had 4 passes against Tennessee.
Both teams fought over the lead until Judd made a layup tying the score 50-50. However, with a mix of exhaustion and lack of control, the Tiger’s slowed down giving Tennessee a lead of 57-50.
Slaughter knocked down one final jumper and the rest of the team managed to prevent Tennessee from scoring again, wrapping up the third quarter and trailing 59-52.
Brown took the reins in the fourth quarter, working to bring the Tigers back. With a three-pointer, a layup and perfect trips to the free throw line, she reignited the Missouri offense, bringing the score to 69-64.
Missouri senior forward Laniah Randle powers her way through a Tennessee player to score a lay-up for Missouri. Laniah Randle had ten points against Tennessee on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo.
The Tigers began to fall off again, with Brown being the only scorer of the quarter since Tennessee’s defense wasn’t giving any opportunities for Missouri to score.
Slaughter followed in Brown’s footsteps however, and made one of her free throws and a layup to bring the score to 74-71.
Unfortunately, they were unable to get the opportunity again, and the game wrapped up with a final score of 76-71.
Brown played an impressive offense, scoring 18 points with three rebounds. Randle was a top defender with 11 rebounds and scoring 10 points.
Despite the tough loss, head coach Robin Pingeton is still optimistic about the team’s performance.
“I think they’re showing a lot of toughness, a lot of grittiness, and unfortunately, it didn’t show up on the scoreboard the way we would have liked,” Pingeton said. ” But I think they have a lot to be proud of.”
The Tigers stayed at home for its game against Louisiana State University on Thursday Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mizzou Arena.
Edited by Michael Stamps | mstamps@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com