Powered by sophomore guard Shannon Dowell’s best performance as a Tiger, Missouri women’s basketball rolled past Southern Illinois 81–50 Tuesday night.
Despite their widest scoring margin of the early season, head coach Kellie Harper said the Tigers still have room to grow.
“I don’t think it was our best effort,” Harper said in an interview with Mizzou Athletics. “We lacked a little bit of intensity throughout the game. I want to see some grit and toughness, and sometimes it’s body language. I want to feel it from them.”
Dowell set the tone of the game immediately, knocking down a 3-pointer on Missouri’s first scoring possession to put Mizzou on the board. Dowell, who entered the game without a made three this season, said the shift was simple: she finally felt comfortable.
“The report said I’d have to shoot threes, and the coaches just kept telling me to take them,” Dowell said. “It just felt right tonight.”
Senior forward Jordana Reisma carried the early scoring with 8 first-quarter points as Missouri took a 22–18 lead heading into the second quarter. Dowell opened the next period with another three, sparking a 16-point first-half performance.
The Tigers efficiency continued as they hit 15 of their first 28 shots. Missouri entered the half with a 38–28 advantage over the Salukis.
Dowell took over in the third quarter. She opened the half by drilling her third 3-pointer of the night, and moments later, she knocked down her fourth. Dowell reached 24 points by the midpoint of the quarter, as the Tigers extended their lead to 57–42 while improving to 22-for-41 shooting overall.
Sophomore guard Chloe Sotell kicked off the fourth quarter with a three of her own. By the time the Tigers reached 30-for-55 shooting and pushed their advantage to 31 points, the home win was sealed.
Dowell finished the game with 30 points, marking a major scoring uptick for her.
“I picked up the stat sheet and said, ‘30 points? Where was I?’” Harper said. “When you hit four threes and 10 free throws, that adds up fast.”
Southern Illinois was led by sophomore guard Alayna Kraus and junior guard Kayla Cooper, who posted 10 points each for the Salukis.
Next up, the Tigers will take on the Troy Trojans at Mizzou Arena Thursday, Nov. 20, at 11:30 a.m.