COLUMBIA, Mo. – Freshman guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) established a new single-game school record with 42 points as the Missouri women’s basketball team (4-0) defeated Wake Forest (3-1) 94-81 at Mizzou Arena on Sunday evening. Cunningham went 13-for-18 from the field and 6-for-8 from 3-point range in 33 minutes. She added eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in her fourth career game.
The Tigers shot 43 percent (26-for-61) from the floor, 42 percent (11-for-26) from beyond the arc and 78 percent (31-for-40) from the free throw line. Mizzou scored 20 points off of 18 forced turnovers.
“I think our girls did a great job,” head coach Robin Pingeton said. “I thought they came out with a ton of focus. Overall, just a great performance and gritty, great toughness. [There was] great energy from our team. I’m really happy for them and proud of them.
“Obviously, a special night for Sophie. It was just a tremendous night and she is a fierce competitor.”
Cunningham scored 25 points in the first half, going 9-for-10 from the field and 4-for-5 from long range during the first 20 minutes. In the second quarter alone, she scored 14 points. She broke the previous scoring record of 41 points by Renee Kelly that has stood since a Jan. 25, 1986 at Oklahoma.
The 42 points by Cunningham are the most in the SEC this season. She leads the conference in scoring with 21.5 points per game.
Junior guard Sierra Michaelis (Mercer, Mo.) added a season-high 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting and a 4-for-8 mark from 3-point range. She has drained seven triples over the last two contests. Michaelis scored 13 points in the first quarter, connecting three times from beyond the arc.
Freshman forward Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) established new season-highs with 14 points and five assists to go along with three rebounds and a blocked in 22 reserve minutes. Junior forward Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) added nine points and 12 rebounds (six offensive) with three blocks, two steals and an assist.
Mizzou returns to play on Tuesday evening with a 7 p.m. CT tipoff vs. SIU Edwardsville at Mizzou Arena.
— Mizzou Athletics —