COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s basketball (19-6, 6-6) pulled away late to defeat Alabama (14-11, 3-9) 63-52 Thursday night at Mizzou Arena. Sierra Michaelis (Mercer, Mo.) led the Tigers with 14 points and four 3-pointers. Sophie Cunningham (Columbia, Mo.) added 12 points and became the second-highest scoring freshman in program history.

The Tigers ended the game on a 20-8 run to close out the Crimson Tide. The victory marks the first time in school history that Mizzou has defeated Alabama at Mizzou Arena.

The Tigers reserves outscored the Alabama bench 28-6. Redshirt sophomore Kayla McDowell (Cincinnati, Ohio) contributed to the bench scoring by tying her season-high with 11 points while shooting a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor. It was the first time in her college career to shoot 100 percent from the field.

Three other tigers joined Cunningham and McDowell with double-digit scoring nights. Jordan Frericks (Quincy, Ill.) scored 10 while Cierra Porter finished with 11.

Frericks and Porter also lead the team in rebounds, collecting six each.

The Tigers moved the ball well in the first half, collecting 10 assists on 13 field goals made as a team. They accomplished this while only committing three turnovers, the fewest this season during the first half.

For the game, Mizzou shot 39 percent (21-for-54) from the floor and 75 percent (15-for-20) from the foul line. Alabama finished at 36 percent (16-for-45) from the field and 70 percent (14-fror-20) from the free throw line.

Mizzou will return to the hardwood on Sunday, Feb. 14 as they host rival Arkansas at 2 p.m.

— Mizzou Athletics —