BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Freshman guard Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this season, it was announced Tuesday. Cunningham averaged 14.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game against No. 7/6 Mississippi State and Arkansas last week.

Against Mississippi State on Thursday evening, Cunningham scored a game-high 22 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists. It marked the sixth 20-plus point performance during her freshman season. The victory against Mississippi State marked the highest-ranked opponent Mizzou has defeated since upsetting then-No. 4 Baylor on Jan. 4, 2006. She followed that performance up with six points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals at Arkansas on Sunday afternoon.

Cunningham averages a team-leading 14.2 points per game and ranks second on the squad with 5.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest. She ranks 11th in the SEC in points and is the only freshman in the league’s top 15 in scoring. She ranks second in the league in free throw percentage (81.4), third in field goal percentage (52.6) and 15th in assists (2.8). Cunningham was also named SEC Freshman of the Week on Nov. 17, Nov. 24 and Dec. 8.

The No. 23 Tigers (15-3, 2-3) return to action on Thursday with a 7 p.m. CT tipoff at No. 13 Texas A&M (13-5, 3-2) on SEC Network Plus/WatchESPN.

— Mizzou Athletics —