In Missouri’s season opener against North Alabama, two Tigers rose above the rest.
It’s not a surprise; many expected sophomores Aijha Blackwell and Hayley Frank to lead the way this season. For Blackwell, who averaged 15 points per game last season, and Frank, who shot 43.4% from the field and 38.1% from behind the arc, this game was just business as usual.
The duo kept the Tigers at pace with the Lions, who led Missouri by three at halftime. Blackwell shot 4-8 from the field in the first half and finished the half with 12 points. Frank got off to a slower start, finishing the half with seven points. Both had six first-half rebounds.
But in the second half, it was all them. Frank didn’t just score another 17 points. She fought for offensive rebounds and turned them into second-chance points. Frank finished with 11 rebounds and earned a double-double — the first of her career — with a team-leading 24 points.
Blackwell also got a double-double with 21 points and 10 boards.
Both players’ rebounding helped Missouri win the battle on the glass over North Alabama, 46-32.
It wasn’t an easy second half for Blackwell, who got into foul trouble after recording her fourth personal foul midway through the third quarter. Despite that, she played a vocal role on the bench and found a different way to help the team.
“I just think team first,” Blackwell said. “We’ve still got a game, and my teammates still got my back.”
Blackwell used her size and strength to her advantage at the end of the game. On two separate occasions she drove to the basket, drew contact and finished. She completed the three-point-play both times. In closer late-game situations, the ability to draw contact and make free throws is critical. Blackwell showed once again that she is capable of doing just that.
Frank, who set the school’s freshman record last season when she made at least one three-pointer in her first 12 college games, found her touch from behind the arc in the second half. She finished 3-5 from deep — all three made shots coming in the second half — to put the game out of reach.
“We’ve got a lot of offensive weapons,” coach Robin Pingeton said. “I think on any given night we’ve got a couple players that can easily be in the 20s.”
Frank was lethal when she had the ball in her hands, but she stayed humble and credited her teammates for finding her open for a shot.
“We talk about it all the time, getting a great shot over a good shot,” Frank said. “The funnest basketball you can play is when we’re sharing the ball and we’re getting our teammates really good looks.”
_Edited by Kyle Pinnell | kpinnell@themaneater.com_
