In the previous 20 seasons, Missouri women’s basketball gave up 100 points one time. But in the Tigers’ last two games, they surpassed that total, allowing triple digits in both matchups.
On a two-game road trip against highly ranked competitors, the Tigers fell 108-55 to LSU and 112-71 to South Carolina. Missouri’s loss to LSU not only marked the first time under head coach Kellie Harper that Missouri had given up at least 100 points, but also marked an all-time embarrassing performance on the glass — it gave up an LSU record-breaking 72 rebounds.
This total marked the most boards in a game by LSU in the NCAA women’s college basketball championship era, dating back to 1982. LSU has made 30 NCAA Tournament appearances, six Final Fours and hoisted a National Championship in that time frame, but never once snagged that many rebounds in a game.
So how did Harper’s debut season, which began with so much promise, end up littered with disastrous moments?
The issue has been a major lack of size and positioning. Missouri’s top-15-ranked Southeastern Conference scorers, junior guards Grace Slaughter and Shannon Dowell, can only do so much when Missouri stands shorter than many conference foes.
Missouri lost the rebounding battle to LSU by a staggering 72-25 and 49-30 to South Carolina. Against both teams, the Tigers presented a rotation featuring eight guards and one forward, with Slaughter listed as the tallest player at 6-foot-2.
South Carolina played four players listed taller than Slaughter, two of whom were 6-foot-6 or taller. LSU used its plethora of lengthy guards and 6-foot-5 sophomore forward Kate Koval to expose the Tigers’ weaknesses.
Missouri’s smaller lineups stem from season-long injuries that kept 6-foot-4 junior forward Hannah Linthacum sidelined all season and 6-foot-3 senior forward Jordana Reisma out in these two games.
After beginning February on a three-game winning streak, Missouri recorded itsmost wins in a season since 2023. However, to compete with the top teams in the SEC, the Tigers will need to present rebounding-centric lineups that feature taller players in the years to come.
The Missouri Tigers close their season at 3 p.m. Friday against No. 7 Oklahoma in Mizzou Arena.
