In any type of sports season, few experiences lift spirits like a classic rivalry victory. At Mizzou Arena on Wednesday, the Missouri women’s basketball team checked the experience off of its list of firsts for the Robin Pingeton era with a 66-52 win over archrival Kansas.
In a transition year centered on building a new program, in a Big 12 Conference stretch where heartbreaking defeats have become the norm, the intensity with which Missouri took, controlled and departed the court in Thursday’s win is quickly becoming the heartbeat of a young Tigers team desperately trying to turn the corner.
“We’ve really been talking a lot about trying to get consistency, understanding that it’s a 40 minute game,” Pingeton said. “We’ve been so close in so many games, and as a player you feel like you’re playing so hard, but as a coach you feel like there’s always more in their tanks.”
While the intensity has become a commodity for the Tigers, it was maximized by the opportunity to upset rival Kansas. The Tigers ripped off runs of 12-0 and 15-0 and never let up en route to the victory.
“I’ve seen firsthand how crazy (the rivalry) gets sometimes,” Senior guard RaeShara Brown, who dropped 22 points on the visiting Jayhawks, said. “I think for players, it brings up a more intense level for us. We take a different approach to it because we want it so bad, but I think today we (were) really good with the amount of intensity and amount of poise we had with it.”
The changes in the Missouri program are becoming evident even to the biggest of Tigers rivals.
“Their effort is good, their intensity is good, their scouting report defense is good,” Kansas coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “They’ve been good on film, not just tonight. They’ve played people well, and their focus and concentration and attention to detail has been better.”
Pingeton’s goal all along her first season at Missouri has been to establish that type of culture on a nightly basis.
“We talked about that earlier this season, about laying the foundation,” Pingeton said. “As long as we’re doing things the right way, (being) committed, disciplined, having accountability…sooner or later, things are going to pay off for them. And it doesn’t always happen immediately, especially in this league, but I know that they’re going to feel good about their effort, knowing they did it the right way.”
The win was the first for the Tigers in a five-game conference stretch and evened their record back up at 10-10 (2-4 Big 12). With victories coming at a high price in the Big 12, Missouri made sure to make the most of its rivalry upset.
“I think you absolutely have to enjoy your successes,” Pingeton said. “(The players) earned it and worked hard. When they commit and they make that effort, win or lose, you’ve got to celebrate and acknowledge those things. They need to enjoy this.”