COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball (2-0) dominated Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-2) by allowing the least points from an opponent since 2010 in an 85-34 victory Monday evening at Mizzou Arena. Bri Porter (Columbia, Mo.) scored 16 points and grabbed a career-high eight rebounds in 15 minutes of reserve action as five Tigers scored in double figures. Mizzou held a 49-27 rebounding advantage.
“I’m proud of our effort on the boards and really proud of our unselfish play,” head coach Robin Pingeton said. “I thought we had some really good passing and possessions. I am very pleased with what we saw, and we know that the competition is just going to get tougher and tougher.”
Following a back-and-forth first quarter, Mizzou outscored UAPB 31-10 in the second quarter to take a 47-21 lead into halftime. The Tigers continued the stifling defense after the break, recording 19-4 and 19-9 scoring advantages in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.
The 34 points allowed were the least by a Mizzou opponent since a 53-30 defeat over UT Martin on Dec. 7, 2010. The Tigers outscored UAPB 44-10 in the paint, 21-2 off of turnovers, 17-0 in second chance points and 56-4 in bench points. Mizzou grabbed 14 steals, which is two more than any game last season.
Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) finished with 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) and Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) both scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds. Cunningham added three assists and three steals. Kayla McDowell (Cincinnati, Ohio) scored 10 points in 15 minutes of reserve action.
For the game, Mizzou shot 48 percent (32-for-67) from the floor and 74 percent (14-for-19) from the foul line.
The Tigers limited UAPB to 29 percent shooting (15-for-52) from the field and 20 percent (3-for-15) from beyond the arc. Over the final two quarters, the Lady Lions shot only 24 percent (6-for-24) from the floor.
Destiny Brewer led UAPB with 13 points on 5-for-13 shooting from the field and a 2-for-4 mark from 3-point range.
Mizzou travels to Wichita State for a 7:05 p.m. CT tipoff on Wednesday evening. The game can be seen on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app. The Tigers then return home for a 7 p.m. CT matchup vs. Wake Forest on Sunday evening at Mizzou Arena on SEC Network.
— Mizzou Athletics —