In a road contest against Vanderbilt women’s basketball on Sunday, Missouri trailed for over 28 minutes but remained strong with a fourth-quarter comeback to exit Music City on a high note 65-63.

Missouri (10-7, 1-3) struggled with Vanderbilt’s (16-2, 3-1) zone defense for most of the first half, scoring only 24 points over the first 20 minutes. This was the lowest total the Tigers have scored in a first half this season. 

Scoring exploded in the third quarter, with both teams gaining 20-plus points in the 10-minute span. Both teams shot better than 50% in the quarter while getting to the free throw line. Missouri had seven free throw attempts in the quarter while Vanderbilt had six.

Missouri turned a defensive corner in the fourth, allowing only one point in the first four minutes. 

“We had a much greater sense of urgency to get out to three-point shooters in that fourth quarter,” head coach Robin Pingeton said.

Vanderbilt made several big shots to tie the game at 58 points with under four minutes left. Freshman guard Grace Slaughter scored five straight points to put the Tigers up late. After a final basket from Ashton Judd, Missouri led 65-60 with two minutes left. Missouri held the Commodores scoreless after four missed baskets, before relenting a three with 35 seconds remaining.

The Tigers proceeded to turn the ball over with 15 seconds left, giving Vanderbilt another chance. However, the Commodores were unable to capitalize, turning the ball over yet again. The sloppy play continued, as Missouri gave the ball away before Vanderbilt missed another layup with two seconds remaining. 

When the final horn sounded, the Tigers emerged victorious 65-63.

Graduate forward Hayley Frank continued her scoring at a high level, with 11 points in the first half to keep Missouri afloat. Frank did a lot of damage behind the arc, going 5/8 on three-point attempts and ending the game with 17 points.

“Her next-play mentality can be really infectious for our team,” Pingeton said. 

Vanderbilt dominated the rebounding battle, holding a 44-28 advantage. The Commodores turned 13 offensive rebounds into nine second chance points while holding Missouri to one offensive rebound for two points.

“I gotta figure out how we get more offensive rebounds,” Pingeton said. “That’s an area we have to get better at.”

After missing a game against South Carolina due to a knee injury, senior guard Mama Dembele returned to the lineup. Dembele struggled with shooting, gaining only six points on 2/8 attempts. But the point guard contributed elsewhere with five rebounds, nine assists and six steals.

“[Dembele’s] ability to push and transition is huge,” Pingeton said. “Defensively, being able to get steals and deflections … stirring things up a little bit.”

The Tigers played their typical nine-person rotation, but only one of their four bench players scored, graduate forward Abby Feit. In 23 minutes, Feit scored 11 points while adding four rebounds and two blocks. Perhaps the most important play came in the final 15 seconds, where Feit forced a Vanderbilt player out of bounds to preserve a two-point lead.

“I thought she had some big possessions on both ends,” Pingeton said.

Judd served as an offensive catalyst for Missouri. After only four points in the first half, she exploded for 15 in the second half to lead all scorers. The sophomore was extremely efficient, making 8/13 shots while pulling in six rebounds.

“I got on her a little bit,” Pingeton said. “I thought she kept the ball moving and took really good shots with great pace and great balance.”

Edited by Quentin Corpuel | qcorpuel@themaneater.com 

Copy edited by Sterling Sewell | ssewell@themaneater.com

Edited by Sophie Rentschler | srentschler@themaneater.com