COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Women’s Basketball defeated Southwest Baptist, 77-55, in an exhibition matchup to begin the 2017-18 season on Thursday night at Mizzou Arena. Mizzou used a balanced offensive attack to dominate the ballgame as it shot 50 percent from the field and 12 different Tigers found the scoring column. Mizzou maintained a strong presence inside all evening as senior forwards Jordan Frericks (Quincy Ill.) and Kayla Michael (Cincinnati, Oh.), and junior forward Cierra Porter (Columbia, Mo.) dominated the glass and shot efficiently from the paint. The trio combined for 32 points and grabbed 29 boards.

Turning Point
Frericks and Michael sparked a Mizzou offensive surge in the closing minutes of the first quarter. Frericks set up Michael on a back door cut and Michael’s layup gave the Tigers a three-point lead with four minutes left in the quarter. The possession led to fluidity in the Mizzou offense and the Tigers ended the frame on a 10-2 run and held a 24-13 lead. Mizzou translated the momentum to the defensive side to start the second quarter as the Tigers forced six turnovers in the period’s first five minutes and built a 33-16 lead.

Top Tigers
– Senior Kayla Michael’s 13 rebounds were her most in a single game since she pulled in 11 in a matchup against California on November 23, 2014.

– Junior Cierra Porter recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Porter had a team-best 12 double-doubles last season.

– In her first action since the 2015-16 season, senior Jordan Frericks led all scorers with 13 points on six-of-eight shooting from the field. She also hauled in six rebounds.

– Newcomer Lauren Aldridge poured in nine points, all coming on threes. Aldridge was three-for-four from behind the arc and also grabbed a pair of rebounds. The transfer shot 36 percent from long distance for Kansas during the 2015-16 season.

Notes
– Mizzou’s 24-point first quarter matched a 24-point frame against Truman State in an exhibition game last season.

– Mizzou’s 47 points in the first half were its most in an exhibition game since the second half of an exhibition matchup with Quincy University on November 9, 2015.

– Sophomore guard Jordan Roundtree matched a career-high in points with six. She scored six in against Mississippi State on February 5, 2017.

– Mizzou held the Bearcats to a 33 percent shooting clip from the field. The shooting percentage was the lowest the Tigers have allowed since a matchup with Aurburn last season on January 26, 2017.

Up Next
Mizzou continues exhibition play Monday vs. McKendree at Mizzou Arena. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m. CT. Admission is free.

— Mizzou Athletics —